diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 8b859999dc..b441973978 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -337,13 +337,7 @@ if SHELL_OPT == 'enabled' and not PYTHON.found()
     error('kea-shell requires python. Python not found.')
 endif
 
-if crypto_opt == 'auto'
-    if openssl.found()
-        crypto = openssl
-    elif botan.found()
-        crypto = botan
-    endif
-elif crypto_opt == 'botan'
+if crypto_opt == 'botan'
     if botan.found()
         crypto = botan
     endif
diff --git a/meson.options b/meson.options
index 3e76be4942..a87e836c6c 100644
--- a/meson.options
+++ b/meson.options
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ option(
 )
 
 # Dependency-related options
-option('crypto', type: 'combo', choices: ['auto', 'botan', 'openssl'], value: 'auto', description: 'Backend for cryptographical operations. Mandatory.')
+option('crypto', type: 'combo', choices: ['botan', 'openssl'], value: 'openssl', description: 'Backend for cryptographical operations. Mandatory.')
 option('krb5', type: 'combo', choices: ['', 'auto', 'enabled', 'disabled'], value: '', description: 'Support for GSS-TSIG. Requires krb5 with gssapi.')
 option('gtest', type: 'combo', choices: ['', 'auto', 'enabled', 'disabled'], value: '', description: 'Support for unit tests with GTest.')
 option('mysql', type: 'combo', choices: ['', 'auto', 'enabled', 'disabled'], value: '', description: 'Support for MySQL backends.')