diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 9cd951cd..bc33b4de 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -221,11 +221,14 @@ EXTRA_DIST += 00.README.FIRST 00CREDITS 00DCACHE 00DIALECTS 00DIST 00FAQ 00LSOF-
 # Testing
 EXTRA_DIST += tests/00README tests/TestDB tests/CkTestDB tests/Makefile tests/LsofTest.h check.bash
 
+if ENABLE_MANPAGES
 # Manpages
 lsof.man: Lsof.8 version 00DIALECTS
 	soelim < Lsof.8 > $@
 man8_MANS = lsof.man
 EXTRA_DIST += Lsof.8
+endif
+
 # Fix distcheck error
 clean-local:
 	rm -rf lsof.man
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index ef664c91..2bacdb7f 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -283,6 +283,11 @@ AS_IF([test "x$enable_no_sock_security" = xyes], [
 	])
 ])
 
+# --disable-manpages to stop building and installing lsof.8
+AC_ARG_ENABLE(manpages, AS_HELP_STRING([--disable-manpages],
+	[do not build and install lsof.8]), [], [enable_manpages=yes])
+AM_CONDITIONAL([ENABLE_MANPAGES], [test "x$enable_manpages" = xyes])
+
 # Check rpc/rpc.h or libtirpc
 # with_libtirpc=yes/no/auto
 AC_ARG_WITH(libtirpc, AS_HELP_STRING([--with-libtirpc],