diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index b85fabf52..b4d1a9a80 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -50,7 +50,10 @@ option(USE_MPG123 "use mpg123 + libsndfile for sound" ON)
 # OS X deployment
 option(OPENMW_OSX_DEPLOYMENT OFF)
 
-find_program(DPKG_PROGRAM dpkg DOC "dpkg program of Debian-based systems")
+option(BUILD_WITH_DPKG "enable dpkg-based install for debian and debian derivatives" OFF)
+if(BUILD_WITH_DPKG)
+    find_program(DPKG_PROGRAM dpkg DOC "dpkg program of Debian-based systems")
+endif(BUILD_WITH_DPKG)
 
 # Location of morrowind data files
 if (APPLE)