diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index e5163bc..a4500ff 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -26,6 +26,40 @@ project('libva-v4l2-request', 'c',
 
 cc = meson.get_compiler('c')
 
+# Let user specify kernel sources for newer UAPI headers
+kernel_headers_inc = include_directories()
+kernel_headers_dep = dependency('', required : false)
+kernel_headers = get_option('kernel_headers')
+if kernel_headers != ''
+    kernel_headers_inc = include_directories(join_paths(kernel_headers, 'include'))
+    kernel_headers_dep = declare_dependency(include_directories : kernel_headers_inc)
+endif
+
+
+# has_header_symbol() does not support the 'required' keyword
+# until Meson 0.50. Meanwhile Debian Buster is still at 0.49.
+# This is why if statements are used here.
+
+# Check for new Request API macros
+if not cc.has_header_symbol('linux/media.h', 'MEDIA_IOC_REQUEST_ALLOC',
+			    include_directories : kernel_headers_inc)
+    error('Missing request API from Linux Kernel headers')
+endif
+if not cc.has_header_symbol('linux/videodev2.h', 'V4L2_CTRL_WHICH_REQUEST_VAL',
+			    include_directories : kernel_headers_inc)
+    error('Missing V4L2_CTRL_WHICH_REQUEST_VAL from Linux Kernel headers')
+endif
+
+# Check for format macros
+if not cc.has_header_symbol('linux/videodev2.h', 'V4L2_PIX_FMT_MPEG2_SLICE',
+			    include_directories : kernel_headers_inc)
+    error('Missing macro V4L2_PIX_FMT_MPEG2_SLICE from Linux Kernel headers')
+endif
+if not cc.has_header_symbol('linux/videodev2.h', 'V4L2_PIX_FMT_SUNXI_TILED_NV12',
+			    include_directories : kernel_headers_inc)
+    error('Missing macro V4L2_PIX_FMT_SUNXI_TILED_NV12 from Linux Kernel headers')
+endif
+
 libva_dep = dependency('libva', version : '>= 1.1.0')
 libdrm_dep = dependency('libdrm', version : '>= 2.4.52')
 
diff --git a/meson_options.txt b/meson_options.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d30bdfc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/meson_options.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+option(
+    'kernel_headers',
+    type : 'string',
+    value : '',
+    description: 'Path to sanitized Linux Kernel headers'
+)
diff --git a/src/meson.build b/src/meson.build
index af117d3..5209af5 100644
--- a/src/meson.build
+++ b/src/meson.build
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ cflags = [
 ]
 
 deps = [
+	kernel_headers_dep,
 	libva_dep,
 	libdrm_dep
 ]