diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index ad8550d9e9..149655058a 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -77,7 +77,8 @@ python = import('python').find_installation()
 
 cc = meson.get_compiler('c')
 all_languages = ['c']
-if host_os == 'windows' and add_languages('cpp', required: false, native: false)
+enable_cpp = host_os == 'windows' or get_option('plugins')
+if enable_cpp and add_languages('cpp', required: false, native: false)
   all_languages += ['cpp']
   cxx = meson.get_compiler('cpp')
 endif