WITH_DOCS=1
 WITH_EMACS=1
 WITH_BASH=1
+WITH_RUBY=1
 WITH_ZSH=1
 
 # Compatible GMime versions (with constraints).
        --without-bash-completion       Do not install bash completions files
        --without-docs                  Do not install documentation and man pages
        --without-emacs                 Do not install lisp file
+       --without-ruby                  Do not install ruby bindings
        --without-zsh-completion        Do not install zsh completions files
 
 Additional options are accepted for compatibility with other
        fi
     elif [ "${option}" = '--without-bash-completion' ] ; then
        WITH_BASH=0
+    elif [ "${option%%=*}" = '--with-ruby' ]; then
+       if [ "${option#*=}" = 'no' ]; then
+           WITH_RUBY=0
+       else
+           WITH_RUBY=1
+       fi
+    elif [ "${option}" = '--without-ruby' ] ; then
+       WITH_RUBY=0
     elif [ "${option%%=*}" = '--with-zsh-completion' ]; then
        if [ "${option#*=}" = 'no' ]; then
            WITH_ZSH=0
     fi
 fi
 
-printf "Checking for ruby development files... "
-if ruby -e "require 'mkmf'"> /dev/null 2>&1; then
-    printf "Yes.\n"
-    have_ruby_dev=1
-else
-    printf "No (skipping ruby bindings)\n"
-    have_ruby_dev=0
+have_ruby_dev=0
+if [ $WITH_RUBY = "1" ] ; then
+    printf "Checking for ruby development files... "
+    if ruby -e "require 'mkmf'"> /dev/null 2>&1; then
+       printf "Yes.\n"
+       have_ruby_dev=1
+    else
+       printf "No (skipping ruby bindings)\n"
+    fi
 fi
 
 have_sphinx=0