diff --git a/github_files.tf b/github_files.tf
index 07ae2a9..a1ef4d1 100644
--- a/github_files.tf
+++ b/github_files.tf
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # https://registry.terraform.io/providers/integrations/github/latest/docs/resources/repository_file
 resource "github_repository_file" "codeowners" {
+  count = var.create_codeowners ? 1 : 0
   repository          = github_repository.repo.name
   branch              = var.github_default_branch
   file                = "CODEOWNERS"
@@ -26,4 +27,4 @@ resource "github_repository_file" "extra_files" {
       branch
     ]
   }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/variables.tf b/variables.tf
index 89234e1..ab97845 100644
--- a/variables.tf
+++ b/variables.tf
@@ -152,3 +152,7 @@ variable "pull_request_bypassers" {
   type    = list(any)
 }
 
+variable create_codeowners {
+  default = true
+  type = bool
+}