diff --git a/subprojects/gst-devtools/validate/plugins/meson.build b/subprojects/gst-devtools/validate/plugins/meson.build
index 130faef95c..853566b311 100644
--- a/subprojects/gst-devtools/validate/plugins/meson.build
+++ b/subprojects/gst-devtools/validate/plugins/meson.build
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+if static_build
+  warning('Validate plugins are disabled in static build mode')
+  subdir_done()
+endif
+
 subdir('fault_injection')
 subdir('gapplication')
 subdir('ssim')