diff --git a/src/platformtheme/kdeplatformtheme.cpp b/src/platformtheme/kdeplatformtheme.cpp
--- a/src/platformtheme/kdeplatformtheme.cpp
+++ b/src/platformtheme/kdeplatformtheme.cpp
@@ -64,6 +64,10 @@
 
 static bool checkDBusGlobalMenuAvailable()
 {
+    if (qEnvironmentVariableIsSet("KDE_NO_GLOBAL_MENU")) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
     QDBusConnection connection = QDBusConnection::sessionBus();
     QString registrarService = QStringLiteral("com.canonical.AppMenu.Registrar");
     return connection.interface()->isServiceRegistered(registrarService);