diff --git a/meta/classes/packagegroup.bbclass b/meta/classes/packagegroup.bbclass
index aa9e0ac..2e07529 100644
--- a/meta/classes/packagegroup.bbclass
+++ b/meta/classes/packagegroup.bbclass
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ PACKAGE_ARCH = "all"
 # to the list. Their dependencies (RRECOMMENDS) are handled as usual
 # by package_depchains in a following step.
 python () {
+    if d.getVar('PACKAGEGROUP_DISABLE_COMPLEMENTARY', True) != '1':
+        return
+
     packages = d.getVar('PACKAGES', True).split()
     genpackages = []
     for pkg in packages: