diff --git a/automatic.conf b/automatic.conf
index 20bd1b607..4a58fd3eb 100644
--- a/automatic.conf
+++ b/automatic.conf
@@ -6,4 +6,5 @@
   build_root6=yes
   build_python=no
   install_sim=yes
+  build_MQOnly=no
   SIMPATH_INSTALL=$PWD/installation
diff --git a/scripts/functions.sh b/scripts/functions.sh
index 55b876f9c..a07eecdfd 100644
--- a/scripts/functions.sh
+++ b/scripts/functions.sh
@@ -240,6 +240,14 @@ function check_variables {
   else
     check_yes_no install_sim
   fi
+  if [ "$build_MQOnly" = "" ]; then
+    echo "*** It is not defined in the input file if only the FairMQ toolchain should be installed."
+    echo "*** Please add the missing definition in the input file."
+    echo "*** e.g.: build_MQOnly=[no/yes]"
+    exit 1
+  else
+    check_yes_no build_MQOnly
+  fi
   if [ "$SIMPATH_INSTALL" = "" ]; then
     echo "*** No installation directory is defined in the input file."
     echo "*** Please add the missing definition in the input file."