diff --git a/docs/meson.build b/docs/meson.build
index 842ed72818..07a0f12c79 100644
--- a/docs/meson.build
+++ b/docs/meson.build
@@ -10,7 +10,9 @@ else
         required: false)
 endif
 
-if plugins_cache_generator.found()
+if plugins.length() == 0
+    message('All ugly plugins have been disabled')
+elif plugins_cache_generator.found()
     plugins_doc_dep = custom_target('ugly-plugins-doc-cache',
         command: [plugins_cache_generator, plugins_cache, '@OUTPUT@', '@INPUT@'],
         input: plugins,