diff --git a/doc/source/conf.py b/doc/source/conf.py
index 5e75e542ef..fe10fecc6c 100644
--- a/doc/source/conf.py
+++ b/doc/source/conf.py
@@ -54,6 +54,15 @@
     'gallery_dirs': 'source/auto_examples'
 }
 
+try:
+    import gen_rst
+except:
+    pass
+
+# only include examples if the BUILD_PYART_EXAMPLES env. variable is set
+if 'BUILD_PYART_EXAMPLES' in os.environ:
+    extensions.append('gen_rst')
+
 # Configuration options for plot_directive. See:
 # https://github.com/matplotlib/matplotlib/blob/f3ed922d935751e08494e5fb5311d3050a3b637b/lib/matplotlib/sphinxext/plot_directive.py#L81
 plot_html_show_source_link = False