diff --git a/drivers/crypto/meson.build b/drivers/crypto/meson.build
index 495e9350c..d27889088 100644
--- a/drivers/crypto/meson.build
+++ b/drivers/crypto/meson.build
@@ -29,75 +29,80 @@
 #   (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
 #   OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
-crypto_drivers = ['null']
-
-libcrypto_dep = dependency('libcrypto', required: false)
-if libcrypto_dep.found()
-	crypto_drivers += ['qat', 'openssl']
-endif
-
-foreach drv:crypto_drivers
-	dpdk_conf.set('RTE_LIBRTE_@0@_PMD'.format(drv.to_upper()),1)
+drivers = ['null', 'qat', 'openssl']
+std_deps = ['cryptodev'] # cryptodev pulls in all other needed deps
 
+foreach drv:drivers
 	# set up empty variables used for build
+	build = true # set to false to disable, e.g. missing deps
 	version = 1
 	sources = []
 	objs = []
 	cflags = []
 	includes = [include_directories(drv)]
-	# dependency managment. External deps managed using dependency
-	# objects, internal deps managed by name of lib
+	# set up internal deps. Drivers can append/override as necessary
+	deps = std_deps
+	# ext_deps: Stores external library dependency got
+	# using dependency() or cc.find_library(). For most cases, we
+	# probably also need to specify the "-l" flags in
+	# pkgconfig_extra_libs variable too, so that it can be reflected
+	# in the pkgconfig output for static builds
 	ext_deps = []
-	# set up standard deps. Drivers can append/override as necessary
-	deps = ['mbuf', 'cryptodev', 'kvargs']
+	pkgconfig_extra_libs = []
 
 	# pull in driver directory which should assign to each of the above
 	subdir(drv)
 
-	# get dependency objs from strings
-	dep_objs = ext_deps
-	foreach d:deps
-		dep_objs += [get_variable('dep_rte_' + d)] + dep_objs
-	endforeach
-
-	# generate pmdinfo sources
-	pmdinfogen_srcs = run_command('grep', '--files-with-matches',
-		'RTE_PMD_REGISTER_.*(.*)', sources).stdout().strip().split()
-	foreach src: pmdinfogen_srcs
-		out_filename = '@0@.pmd.c'.format(src.split('/')[-1])
-		tmp_lib = static_library('tmp_@0@'.format(src.underscorify()),
-			src, include_directories: includes,
-			dependencies: dep_objs,
-			c_args: cflags)
-		sources += custom_target(out_filename,
-				command: [pmdinfo, tmp_lib.full_path(),
-					'@OUTPUT@', pmdinfogen],
-				output: out_filename,
-				depends: [pmdinfogen, tmp_lib])
-	endforeach
+	if build
+		dpdk_conf.set('RTE_LIBRTE_@0@_PMD'.format(drv.to_upper()),1)
 
-	# now build the driver itself, and add to the drivers list
-	drv_name = 'rte_pmd_@0@'.format(drv)
-	version_map = '@0@/@1@/rte_pmd_@1@_version.map'.format(
-			meson.current_source_dir(), drv)
-	lib = library(drv_name,
-		sources,
-		objects: objs,
-		include_directories: includes,
-		dependencies: dep_objs,
-		c_args: cflags,
-		link_args: '-Wl,--version-script=' + version_map,
-		link_depends: version_map,
-		version: '@0@.1'.format(version),
-		install: true,
-		install_dir: driver_install_path)
+		# get dependency objs from strings
+		dep_objs = []
+		foreach d:deps
+			dep_objs += [get_variable('dep_rte_' + d)] + dep_objs
+		endforeach
+		dep_objs += ext_deps
+		dpdk_extra_ldflags += pkgconfig_extra_libs
 
-	dpdk_drivers += lib
+		# generate pmdinfo sources
+		pmdinfogen_srcs = run_command('grep', '--files-with-matches',
+			'RTE_PMD_REGISTER_.*(.*)', sources).stdout().strip().split()
+		foreach src: pmdinfogen_srcs
+			out_filename = '@0@.pmd.c'.format(src.split('/')[-1])
+			tmp_lib = static_library('tmp_@0@'.format(src.underscorify()),
+				src, include_directories: includes,
+				dependencies: dep_objs,
+				c_args: cflags)
+			sources += custom_target(out_filename,
+					command: [pmdinfo, tmp_lib.full_path(),
+						'@OUTPUT@', pmdinfogen],
+					output: out_filename,
+					depends: [pmdinfogen, tmp_lib])
+		endforeach
 
-	# create a dependency object and add it to the global dictionary so
-	# testpmd or other built-in apps can find it if necessary
-	set_variable('dep_rte_pmd_@0@'.format(drv),
-			declare_dependency(link_with: lib,
+		# now build the driver itself, and add to the drivers list
+		drv_name = 'rte_pmd_@0@'.format(drv)
+		version_map = '@0@/@1@/rte_pmd_@1@_version.map'.format(
+				meson.current_source_dir(), drv)
+		lib = library(drv_name,
+			sources,
+			objects: objs,
 			include_directories: includes,
-			dependencies: dep_objs))
+			dependencies: dep_objs,
+			c_args: cflags,
+			link_args: '-Wl,--version-script=' + version_map,
+			link_depends: version_map,
+			version: '@0@.1'.format(version),
+			install: true,
+			install_dir: driver_install_path)
+
+		dpdk_drivers += lib
+
+		# create a dependency object and add it to the global dictionary so
+		# testpmd or other built-in apps can find it if necessary
+		set_variable('dep_rte_pmd_@0@'.format(drv),
+				declare_dependency(link_with: lib,
+				include_directories: includes,
+				dependencies: dep_objs))
+	endif # build
 endforeach
diff --git a/drivers/crypto/openssl/meson.build b/drivers/crypto/openssl/meson.build
index b4337f85e..eb7f10226 100644
--- a/drivers/crypto/openssl/meson.build
+++ b/drivers/crypto/openssl/meson.build
@@ -29,5 +29,10 @@
 #   (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
 #   OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
+dep = dependency('libcrypto', required: false)
+if not dep.found()
+	build = false
+endif
 sources = files('rte_openssl_pmd.c', 'rte_openssl_pmd_ops.c')
-ext_deps += libcrypto_dep
+ext_deps += dep
+pkgconfig_extra_libs += '-lcrypto'
diff --git a/drivers/crypto/qat/meson.build b/drivers/crypto/qat/meson.build
index aa124a0a0..7d959e7f5 100644
--- a/drivers/crypto/qat/meson.build
+++ b/drivers/crypto/qat/meson.build
@@ -29,8 +29,13 @@
 #   (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
 #   OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
+dep = dependency('libcrypto', required: false)
+if not dep.found()
+	build = false
+endif
 sources = files('qat_crypto.c', 'qat_qp.c',
 		'qat_adf/qat_algs_build_desc.c',
 		'rte_qat_cryptodev.c')
 includes += include_directories('qat_adf')
-ext_deps += libcrypto_dep
+ext_deps += dep
+pkgconfig_extra_libs += '-lcrypto'
diff --git a/drivers/mempool/meson.build b/drivers/mempool/meson.build
index 32763b326..cdacbe9be 100644
--- a/drivers/mempool/meson.build
+++ b/drivers/mempool/meson.build
@@ -29,70 +29,80 @@
 #   (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
 #   OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
-mempool_drivers = ['ring', 'stack']
-
-foreach drv:mempool_drivers
-	dpdk_conf.set('RTE_LIBRTE_@0@_PMD'.format(drv.to_upper()),1)
+drivers = ['ring', 'stack']
+std_deps = ['mempool']
 
+foreach drv:drivers
 	# set up empty variables used for build
+	build = true # set to false to disable, e.g. missing deps
 	version = 1
 	sources = []
 	objs = []
 	cflags = []
 	includes = [include_directories(drv)]
-	# dependency managment. External deps managed using dependency
-	# objects, internal deps managed by name of lib
+	# set up internal deps. Drivers can append/override as necessary
+	deps = std_deps
+	# ext_deps: Stores external library dependency got
+	# using dependency() or cc.find_library(). For most cases, we
+	# probably also need to specify the "-l" flags in
+	# pkgconfig_extra_libs variable too, so that it can be reflected
+	# in the pkgconfig output for static builds
 	ext_deps = []
-	# set up standard deps. Drivers can append/override as necessary
-	deps = ['eal', 'mempool', 'ring']
+	pkgconfig_extra_libs = []
 
 	# pull in driver directory which should assign to each of the above
 	subdir(drv)
 
-	# get dependency objs from strings
-	dep_objs = ext_deps
-	foreach d:deps
-		dep_objs += [get_variable('dep_rte_' + d)] + dep_objs
-	endforeach
-
-	# generate pmdinfo sources
-	pmdinfogen_srcs = run_command('grep', '--files-with-matches',
-		'RTE_PMD_REGISTER_.*(.*)', sources).stdout().strip().split()
-	foreach src: pmdinfogen_srcs
-		out_filename = '@0@.pmd.c'.format(src.split('/')[-1])
-		tmp_lib = static_library('tmp_@0@'.format(src.underscorify()),
-			src, include_directories: includes,
-			dependencies: dep_objs,
-			c_args: cflags)
-		sources += custom_target(out_filename,
-				command: [pmdinfo, tmp_lib.full_path(),
-					'@OUTPUT@', pmdinfogen],
-				output: out_filename,
-				depends: [pmdinfogen, tmp_lib])
-	endforeach
+	if build
+		dpdk_conf.set('RTE_LIBRTE_@0@_MEMPOOL'.format(drv.to_upper()),1)
 
-	# now build the driver itself, and add to the drivers list
-	drv_name = 'rte_mempool_@0@'.format(drv)
-	version_map = '@0@/@1@/rte_mempool_@1@_version.map'.format(
-			meson.current_source_dir(), drv)
-	lib = library(drv_name,
-		sources,
-		objects: objs,
-		include_directories: includes,
-		dependencies: dep_objs,
-		c_args: cflags,
-		link_args: '-Wl,--version-script=' + version_map,
-		link_depends: version_map,
-		version: '@0@.1'.format(version),
-		install: true,
-		install_dir: driver_install_path)
+		# get dependency objs from strings
+		dep_objs = []
+		foreach d:deps
+			dep_objs += [get_variable('dep_rte_' + d)] + dep_objs
+		endforeach
+		dep_objs += ext_deps
+		dpdk_extra_ldflags += pkgconfig_extra_libs
 
-	dpdk_drivers += lib
+		# generate pmdinfo sources
+		pmdinfogen_srcs = run_command('grep', '--files-with-matches',
+			'RTE_PMD_REGISTER_.*(.*)', sources).stdout().strip().split()
+		foreach src: pmdinfogen_srcs
+			out_filename = '@0@.pmd.c'.format(src.split('/')[-1])
+			tmp_lib = static_library('tmp_@0@'.format(src.underscorify()),
+				src, include_directories: includes,
+				dependencies: dep_objs,
+				c_args: cflags)
+			sources += custom_target(out_filename,
+					command: [pmdinfo, tmp_lib.full_path(),
+						'@OUTPUT@', pmdinfogen],
+					output: out_filename,
+					depends: [pmdinfogen, tmp_lib])
+		endforeach
 
-	# create a dependency object and add it to the global dictionary so
-	# testpmd or other built-in apps can find it if necessary
-	set_variable('dep_rte_mempool_@0@'.format(drv),
-			declare_dependency(link_with: lib,
+		# now build the driver itself, and add to the drivers list
+		drv_name = 'rte_mempool_@0@'.format(drv)
+		version_map = '@0@/@1@/rte_mempool_@1@_version.map'.format(
+				meson.current_source_dir(), drv)
+		lib = library(drv_name,
+			sources,
+			objects: objs,
 			include_directories: includes,
-			dependencies: dep_objs))
+			dependencies: dep_objs,
+			c_args: cflags,
+			link_args: '-Wl,--version-script=' + version_map,
+			link_depends: version_map,
+			version: '@0@.1'.format(version),
+			install: true,
+			install_dir: driver_install_path)
+
+		dpdk_drivers += lib
+
+		# create a dependency object and add it to the global dictionary so
+		# testpmd or other built-in apps can find it if necessary
+		set_variable('dep_rte_mempool_@0@'.format(drv),
+				declare_dependency(link_with: lib,
+				include_directories: includes,
+				dependencies: dep_objs))
+	endif # build
 endforeach
diff --git a/drivers/net/af_packet/meson.build b/drivers/net/af_packet/meson.build
index 56ba22e73..c0dcc9b1f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/af_packet/meson.build
+++ b/drivers/net/af_packet/meson.build
@@ -29,4 +29,7 @@
 #   (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
 #   OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
+if host_machine.system() != 'linux'
+	build = false
+endif
 sources = files('rte_eth_af_packet.c')
diff --git a/drivers/net/ark/meson.build b/drivers/net/ark/meson.build
index a94d70383..385413af1 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ark/meson.build
+++ b/drivers/net/ark/meson.build
@@ -41,4 +41,5 @@ sources = files('ark_ddm.c',
 		'ark_udm.c')
 if host_machine.system() == 'linux'
 	ext_deps += cc.find_library('dl')
+	pkgconfig_extra_libs += '-ldl'
 endif
diff --git a/drivers/net/meson.build b/drivers/net/meson.build
index 2fb7577fa..cf06edce8 100644
--- a/drivers/net/meson.build
+++ b/drivers/net/meson.build
@@ -29,83 +29,80 @@
 #   (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
 #   OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
-net_drivers = ['ark', 'avp', 'i40e', 'ixgbe']
-
-# af_packet only works on linux
-if host_machine.system() == 'linux'
-	net_drivers += 'af_packet'
-endif
-
-pcap_dep = dependency('pcap', required: false)
-# pcap doesn't use pkg-config, but future meson versions should support picking
-# it up as a dependency. For older versions <0.42 use find_program instead
-if pcap_dep.found() or find_program('pcap-config', required: false).found()
-	net_drivers += 'pcap'
-endif
-
-foreach drv:net_drivers
-	dpdk_conf.set('RTE_LIBRTE_@0@_PMD'.format(drv.to_upper()),1)
+drivers = ['af_packet', 'ark', 'avp', 'i40e', 'ixgbe', 'pcap']
+std_deps = ['ether', 'kvargs'] 	# 'ether' as dep, also pulls in mbuf, net, mempool, eal etc
 
+foreach drv:drivers
 	# set up empty variables used for build
+	build = true # set to false to disable, e.g. missing deps
 	version = 1
 	sources = []
 	objs = []
 	cflags = []
 	includes = [include_directories(drv)]
-	# dependency managment. External deps managed using dependency
-	# objects, internal deps managed by name of lib
+	# set up internal deps. Drivers can append/override as necessary
+	deps = std_deps
+	# ext_deps: Stores external library dependency got
+	# using dependency() or cc.find_library(). For most cases, we
+	# probably also need to specify the "-l" flags in
+	# pkgconfig_extra_libs variable too, so that it can be reflected
+	# in the pkgconfig output for static builds
 	ext_deps = []
-	# set up standard deps. Drivers can append/override as necessary
-	# 'ether' as dep, also pulls in mbuf, net, mempool, ring, eal etc
-	deps = ['ether', 'kvargs']
+	pkgconfig_extra_libs = []
 
 	# pull in driver directory which should assign to each of the above
 	subdir(drv)
 
-	# get dependency objs from strings
-	dep_objs = ext_deps
-	foreach d:deps
-		dep_objs += [get_variable('dep_rte_' + d)] + dep_objs
-	endforeach
-
-	# generate pmdinfo sources
-	pmdinfogen_srcs = run_command('grep', '--files-with-matches',
-		'RTE_PMD_REGISTER_.*(.*)', sources).stdout().strip().split()
-	foreach src: pmdinfogen_srcs
-		out_filename = '@0@.pmd.c'.format(src.split('/')[-1])
-		tmp_lib = static_library('tmp_@0@'.format(src.underscorify()),
-			src, include_directories: includes,
-			dependencies: dep_objs,
-			c_args: cflags)
-		sources += custom_target(out_filename,
-				command: [pmdinfo, tmp_lib.full_path(),
-					'@OUTPUT@', pmdinfogen],
-				output: out_filename,
-				depends: [pmdinfogen, tmp_lib])
-	endforeach
+	if build
+		dpdk_conf.set('RTE_LIBRTE_@0@_PMD'.format(drv.to_upper()),1)
 
-	# now build the driver itself, and add to the drivers list
-	drv_name = 'rte_pmd_@0@'.format(drv)
-	version_map = '@0@/@1@/rte_pmd_@1@_version.map'.format(
-			meson.current_source_dir(), drv)
-	lib = library(drv_name,
-		sources,
-		objects: objs,
-		include_directories: includes,
-		dependencies: dep_objs,
-		c_args: cflags,
-		link_args: '-Wl,--version-script=' + version_map,
-		link_depends: version_map,
-		version: '@0@.1'.format(version),
-		install: true,
-		install_dir: driver_install_path)
+		# get dependency objs from strings
+		dep_objs = []
+		foreach d:deps
+			dep_objs += [get_variable('dep_rte_' + d)] + dep_objs
+		endforeach
+		dep_objs += ext_deps
+		dpdk_extra_ldflags += pkgconfig_extra_libs
 
-	dpdk_drivers += lib
+		# generate pmdinfo sources
+		pmdinfogen_srcs = run_command('grep', '--files-with-matches',
+			'RTE_PMD_REGISTER_.*(.*)', sources).stdout().strip().split()
+		foreach src: pmdinfogen_srcs
+			out_filename = '@0@.pmd.c'.format(src.split('/')[-1])
+			tmp_lib = static_library('tmp_@0@'.format(src.underscorify()),
+				src, include_directories: includes,
+				dependencies: dep_objs,
+				c_args: cflags)
+			sources += custom_target(out_filename,
+					command: [pmdinfo, tmp_lib.full_path(),
+						'@OUTPUT@', pmdinfogen],
+					output: out_filename,
+					depends: [pmdinfogen, tmp_lib])
+		endforeach
 
-	# create a dependency object and add it to the global dictionary so
-	# testpmd or other built-in apps can find it if necessary
-	set_variable('dep_rte_pmd_@0@'.format(drv),
-			declare_dependency(link_with: lib,
+		# now build the driver itself, and add to the drivers list
+		drv_name = 'rte_pmd_@0@'.format(drv)
+		version_map = '@0@/@1@/rte_pmd_@1@_version.map'.format(
+				meson.current_source_dir(), drv)
+		lib = library(drv_name,
+			sources,
+			objects: objs,
 			include_directories: includes,
-			dependencies: dep_objs))
+			dependencies: dep_objs,
+			c_args: cflags,
+			link_args: '-Wl,--version-script=' + version_map,
+			link_depends: version_map,
+			version: '@0@.1'.format(version),
+			install: true,
+			install_dir: driver_install_path)
+
+		dpdk_drivers += lib
+
+		# create a dependency object and add it to the global dictionary so
+		# testpmd or other built-in apps can find it if necessary
+		set_variable('dep_rte_pmd_@0@'.format(drv),
+				declare_dependency(link_with: lib,
+				include_directories: includes,
+				dependencies: dep_objs))
+	endif # build
 endforeach
diff --git a/drivers/net/pcap/meson.build b/drivers/net/pcap/meson.build
index a61668236..2cfe76410 100644
--- a/drivers/net/pcap/meson.build
+++ b/drivers/net/pcap/meson.build
@@ -29,10 +29,13 @@
 #   (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
 #   OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
-sources = files('rte_eth_pcap.c')
-
-if pcap_dep.found()
+pcap_dep = dependency('pcap', required: false)
+if pcap_dep.found() == true
 	ext_deps += pcap_dep
-else
+elif find_program('pcap-config', required: false).found() == true
 	ext_deps += cc.find_library('pcap')
+else
+	build = false
 endif
+sources = files('rte_eth_pcap.c')
+pkgconfig_extra_libs += '-lpcap'
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/meson.build b/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/meson.build
index 96ad1cef7..bc9c3f0cb 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/meson.build
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/bsdapp/eal/meson.build
@@ -58,7 +58,8 @@ eal_lib = library('rte_eal', sources, eal_common_sources, eal_common_arch_source
 			install: true
 )
 
-dpdk_libraries += [eal_lib, '-pthread', eal_extra_link_arg]
+dpdk_libraries += eal_lib
+dpdk_extra_ldflags += ['-pthread', eal_extra_link_arg]
 
 rte_eal = declare_dependency(link_with: eal_lib,
 		include_directories: eal_inc,
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/common/include/arch/x86/meson.build b/lib/librte_eal/common/include/arch/x86/meson.build
index bd162938c..ad0949a92 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/common/include/arch/x86/meson.build
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/common/include/arch/x86/meson.build
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ install_headers(
 	'rte_io.h',
 	'rte_memcpy.h',
 	'rte_prefetch.h',
+	'rte_pause.h',
 	'rte_rtm.h',
 	'rte_rwlock.h',
 	'rte_spinlock.h',
diff --git a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/meson.build b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/meson.build
index 30741519b..886bcbf0e 100644
--- a/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/meson.build
+++ b/lib/librte_eal/linuxapp/eal/meson.build
@@ -63,7 +63,8 @@ eal_lib = library('rte_eal', sources, eal_common_sources, eal_common_arch_source
 			install: true
 )
 
-dpdk_libraries += [eal_lib, '-pthread', eal_extra_link_arg]
+dpdk_libraries += eal_lib
+dpdk_extra_ldflags += ['-pthread', eal_extra_link_arg]
 
 rte_eal = declare_dependency(link_with: eal_lib,
 		include_directories: eal_inc,
diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index dfcead92a..ca495ec7e 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ cc = meson.get_compiler('c')
 dpdk_conf = configuration_data()
 dpdk_libraries = []
 dpdk_drivers = []
+dpdk_extra_ldflags = []
 
 # for static libs, treat the drivers as regular libraries, otherwise
 # for shared libs, put them in a driver folder
@@ -74,7 +75,8 @@ configure_file(output: build_cfg,
 # for static builds, include the drivers as libs, and also any
 # other dependent libs that DPDK needs to link against
 if get_option('default_library') == 'static'
-	dpdk_libraries = dpdk_drivers + dpdk_libraries
+	dpdk_drivers = ['-Wl,--whole-archive'] + dpdk_drivers + ['-Wl,--no-whole-archive']
+	dpdk_libraries = dpdk_drivers + dpdk_libraries + dpdk_extra_ldflags
 endif
 
 pkg = import('pkgconfig')
