diff --git a/subprojects/gst-plugins-bad/meson_options.txt b/subprojects/gst-plugins-bad/meson_options.txt
index 42ed7fc2ab..4686492244 100644
--- a/subprojects/gst-plugins-bad/meson_options.txt
+++ b/subprojects/gst-plugins-bad/meson_options.txt
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ option('mfx_api', type : 'combo', choices : ['MSDK', 'oneVPL', 'auto'], value :
        description : 'Select MFX API to build against')
 
 # License-related feature options
-option('gpl', type: 'feature', value: 'auto', yield: true, # FIXME: disable by default
+option('gpl', type: 'feature', value: 'disabled', yield: true,
   description: 'Allow build plugins that have (A)GPL-licensed dependencies')
 
 # Common feature options
diff --git a/subprojects/gst-plugins-ugly/meson_options.txt b/subprojects/gst-plugins-ugly/meson_options.txt
index 74c311578a..6bdcaf2112 100644
--- a/subprojects/gst-plugins-ugly/meson_options.txt
+++ b/subprojects/gst-plugins-ugly/meson_options.txt
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ option('sidplay', type : 'feature', value : 'auto', description : 'Commodore 64
 option('x264', type : 'feature', value : 'auto', description : 'H.264 video encoder plugin based on libx264 (GPL - only built if gpl option is also enabled!)')
 
 # License-related feature options
-option('gpl', type: 'feature', value: 'auto', yield: true, # FIXME: disable by default
+option('gpl', type: 'feature', value: 'disabled', yield: true,
   description: 'Allow build plugins that have GPL-licensed dependencies')
 
 # Common feature options