diff --git a/sagemath.spec b/sagemath.spec
index 8f8fd8e..88e8b17 100644
--- a/sagemath.spec
+++ b/sagemath.spec
@@ -1313,8 +1313,10 @@ EOF
 chmod +x %{buildroot}%{SAGE_LOCAL}/bin/sage-list-packages
 #------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-# do not install symlink to '.'
-rm %{buildroot}%{SAGE_DOC}/output
+%if %{with docs}
+    # do not install symlink to '.'
+    rm %{buildroot}%{SAGE_DOC}/output
+%endif
 
 # last install command
 rm -fr $DOT_SAGE