diff --git a/docs/meson.build b/docs/meson.build
index e61d496c32..c4b5fe48fe 100644
--- a/docs/meson.build
+++ b/docs/meson.build
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ else
 endif
 
 plugins_cache = join_paths(meson.current_source_dir(), 'plugins', 'gst_plugins_cache.json')
-if plugins_cache_generator.found()
+if plugins.length() == 0
+    message('All base plugins have been disabled')
+elif plugins_cache_generator.found()
     plugins_doc_dep = custom_target('base-plugins-doc-cache',
         command: [plugins_cache_generator, plugins_cache, '@OUTPUT@', '@INPUT@'],
         input: plugins,