diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 6a5bb77d..0f79826f 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -129,7 +129,10 @@ libmessagingmenu_dep = dependency('messaging-menu', version: '>= 12.10', require
 # Build variables
 geary_id = 'org.gnome.Geary@0@'.format(profile)
 geary_version = meson.project_version()
-revno = run_command('build-aux/git_version.py').stdout().strip()
+revno = get_option('revno')
+if revno == ''
+  revno = run_command('build-aux/git_version.py').stdout().strip()
+endif
 
 gnome = import('gnome')
 i18n = import('i18n')
diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
index 043f3142..5f7f7608 100644
--- a/meson_options.txt
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -58,3 +58,8 @@ option(
   value: false,
   description: 'Whether to use explicit reference tracking.'
 )
+option(
+  'revno',
+  type: 'string',
+  description: 'Custom revision string (default extracted from "git describe")'
+)