diff --git a/apps/CMakeLists.txt b/apps/CMakeLists.txt
index a11322f..489f0e1 100644
--- a/apps/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/apps/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ set (APPS_ROOT_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}")
 set (APPS_SHARE_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/share")
 
 option (WITH_FUNCTION_TEST_SUITE "Include function test suite" OFF)
+option (WITH_LOAD_FW "Include loading firmware example" OFF)
 
 add_subdirectory (machine)
 add_subdirectory (system)
@@ -17,7 +18,9 @@ endif (WITH_LINUXREMOTE)
 
 add_subdirectory (echo_test)
 add_subdirectory (matrix_multiply)
-add_subdirectory (load_fw)
+if (WITH_LOAD_FW)
+  add_subdirectory (load_fw)
+endif (WITH_LOAD_FW)
 if (WITH_PROXY_APPS)
 if (NOT WITH_REMOTEPROC_MASTER)
 add_subdirectory (rpc_demo)