diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
index c27e377ad..f1dbfcee5 100644
--- a/meson_options.txt
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -11,6 +11,11 @@ option('android_platform',
         value : 'generic',
         description : 'Select the Android platform to compile for')

+option('apps-output-dng',
+        type : 'feature',
+        value : 'auto',
+        description : 'Enable DNG file creation support in the cam and qcam applications')
+
 option('cam',
         type : 'feature',
         value : 'auto',
diff --git a/src/apps/meson.build b/src/apps/meson.build
index af632b9a7..bc3a79196 100644
--- a/src/apps/meson.build
+++ b/src/apps/meson.build
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ if not libevent.found()
     libevent = dependency('libevent_pthreads', required : opt_lc_compliance)
 endif

-libtiff = dependency('libtiff-4', required : false)
+libtiff = dependency('libtiff-4', required : get_option('apps-output-dng'))

 subdir('common')