diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index d5516e1a..ab3bdfb2 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ else
   rt_dep = []
 endif
 
-wxwidgets_dep = dependency('wxWidgets')
+wxwidgets_dep = dependency('wxWidgets', required: get_option('build_viewer'))
 
 subdir('thirdparty')