diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index a54ccbe..fb99319 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
-SUBDIRS = include src examples
+SUBDIRS = include src
+
+if ENABLE_EXAMPLES
+SUBDIRS += examples
+endif
 
 ACLOCAL_AMFLAGS = -I m4
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index b9b20ea..047b3f0 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -46,6 +46,13 @@ AS_IF([test "x$enable_pty" = "xyes"], [
 	AC_DEFINE(ENABLE_PTY, [1], [Enable pseudo terminal support.])
 ])
 
+# Example applications.
+AC_ARG_ENABLE([examples],
+	[AS_HELP_STRING([--enable-examples=@<:@yes/no@:>@],
+		[Build example applications @<:@default=yes@:>@])],
+	[], [enable_examples=yes])
+AM_CONDITIONAL([ENABLE_EXAMPLES], [test "x$enable_examples" = "xyes"])
+
 # Checks for programs.
 AC_PROG_CC
 AC_PROG_CC_C99