diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 22a60eab5..d91789a73 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -153,6 +153,22 @@ endif()
 
 # end gross taglib detection stuff
 
+# systemd / MPRIS detection
+
+if (NOT ENABLE_MPRIS MATCHES "false")
+  find_library(LIB_SYSTEMD NAMES systemd)
+  if (NOT LIB_SYSTEMD MATCHES "LIB_SYSTEMD-NOTFOUND")
+    message(STATUS "[mpris] systemd found at " ${LIB_SYSTEMD})
+    message(STATUS "[mpris] setting ENABLE_MPRIS=true")
+    set(ENABLE_MPRIS "true")
+  else()
+    message(STATUS "[mpris] systemd *not* found. MPRIS plugin not enabled")
+    set(ENABLE_MPRIS "false")
+  endif()
+endif()
+
+#end systemd / MPRIS detection
+
 add_dependencies(musikcube musikcore taglibreader nullout server httpdatastream stockencoders)
 add_dependencies(musikcubed musikcube)