diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 9dce1ae..df8b941 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ dbusinterfacesdir = join_paths(datadir, 'dbus-1', 'interfaces')
 plugindir = join_paths(get_option('libdir'), 'zathura')
 
 # required dependencies
-libm = cc.find_library('libm')
+libm = cc.find_library('libm', required: false)
 girara = dependency('girara-gtk3', version: '>=0.2.9')
 glib = dependency('glib-2.0', version: '>=2.50')
 gthread = dependency('gthread-2.0', version: '>=2.50')