diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index ca235801cf4..b1319c4a406 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -840,6 +840,10 @@ if help_format_opt != 'man'
     libgit_c_args += '-DDEFAULT_HELP_FORMAT="' + help_format_opt + '"'
 endif
 
+if get_option('nanosec')
+  libgit_c_args += '-DUSE_NSEC'
+endif
+
 libgit_include_directories = [ '.' ]
 libgit_dependencies = [ ]
 
diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
index d936ada0982..1bc75278a8d 100644
--- a/meson_options.txt
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ option('runtime_prefix', type: 'boolean', value: false,
   description: 'Resolve ancillary tooling and support files relative to the location of the runtime binary instead of hard-coding them into the binary.')
 option('sane_tool_path', type: 'array', value: [],
   description: 'An array of paths to pick up tools from in case the normal tools are broken or lacking.')
+option('nanosec', type: 'boolean', value: false,
+  description: 'Care about sub-second file mtimes and ctimes.')
 
 # Build information compiled into Git and other parts like documentation.
 option('build_date', type: 'string', value: '',