diff --git a/docs/Makefile.am b/docs/Makefile.am
index 36868ac5..71b71a71 100644
--- a/docs/Makefile.am
+++ b/docs/Makefile.am
@@ -1,2 +1,14 @@
 
 SUBDIRS = reference man
+
+# require gtk-doc when making dist
+#
+if ENABLE_GTK_DOC
+dist-check-gtk-doc:
+else
+dist-check-gtk-doc:
+	@echo "*** gtk-doc must be enabled in order to make dist"
+	@false
+endif
+
+dist-hook: dist-check-gtk-doc