diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 82fe0681e..8f31983a7 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -153,6 +153,11 @@ if cpp.has_argument('-fno-gnu-unique')
 endif
 add_project_arguments(project_args, language: ['cpp', 'c'])
 
+# Compile new libinput features only if they are supported with the libinput installed version
+if cpp.has_function('libinput_device_config_3fg_drag_set_enabled', dependencies: libinput)
+  add_project_arguments('-DHAVE_LIBINPUT_3FG_DRAG=1', language : ['cpp', 'c'])
+endif
+
 # Needed on some older compilers
 if cpp.has_link_argument('-lc++fs')
   add_project_link_arguments(['-lc++fs'], language: 'cpp')
diff --git a/src/core/seat/pointing-device.cpp b/src/core/seat/pointing-device.cpp
index f385edaf1..bdb1f153d 100644
--- a/src/core/seat/pointing-device.cpp
+++ b/src/core/seat/pointing-device.cpp
@@ -148,6 +148,8 @@ void wf::pointing_device_t::update_options()
             LIBINPUT_CONFIG_DRAG_LOCK_ENABLED :
             LIBINPUT_CONFIG_DRAG_LOCK_DISABLED);
 
+#if HAVE_LIBINPUT_3FG_DRAG
+
         if ((std::string)touchpad_3fg_drag == "default")
         {
             libinput_device_config_3fg_drag_set_enabled(dev,
@@ -166,6 +168,8 @@ void wf::pointing_device_t::update_options()
                 LIBINPUT_CONFIG_3FG_DRAG_ENABLED_4FG);
         }
 
+#endif
+
         if (libinput_device_config_scroll_has_natural_scroll(dev) > 0)
         {
             libinput_device_config_scroll_set_natural_scroll_enabled(dev,