diff --git a/lib/ansible/callback_plugins/noop.py b/lib/ansible/callback_plugins/noop.py
index 54a2b254fc7..8af5a133e6c 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/callback_plugins/noop.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/callback_plugins/noop.py
@@ -21,11 +21,16 @@ class CallbackModule(object):
     """
     this is an example ansible callback file that does nothing.  You can drop
     other classes in the same directory to define your own handlers.  Methods
-    you do not use can be omitted.
+    you do not use can be omitted. If self.disabled is set to True, the plugin
+    methods will not be called.
 
     example uses include: logging, emailing, storing info, etc
     """
 
+    def __init__(self):
+        #if foo:
+        #    self.disabled = True
+        pass
 
     def on_any(self, *args, **kwargs):
         pass
diff --git a/lib/ansible/callbacks.py b/lib/ansible/callbacks.py
index 7d7c7da5820..43a636cb0e0 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/callbacks.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/callbacks.py
@@ -144,6 +144,10 @@ def display(msg, color=None, stderr=False, screen_only=False, log_only=False, ru
 def call_callback_module(method_name, *args, **kwargs):
 
     for callback_plugin in callback_plugins:
+        # a plugin that set self.disabled to True will not be called
+        # see osx_say.py example for such a plugin
+        if getattr(callback_plugin, 'disabled', False):
+            continue
         methods = [
             getattr(callback_plugin, method_name, None),
             getattr(callback_plugin, 'on_any', None)
diff --git a/plugins/callbacks/osx_say.py b/plugins/callbacks/osx_say.py
index 9f6763c100f..ec1f32bace9 100644
--- a/plugins/callbacks/osx_say.py
+++ b/plugins/callbacks/osx_say.py
@@ -17,19 +17,28 @@
 # along with Ansible.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 import subprocess
+import os
 
 FAILED_VOICE="Zarvox"
 REGULAR_VOICE="Trinoids"
 HAPPY_VOICE="Cellos"
 LASER_VOICE="Princess"
+SAY_CMD="/usr/bin/say"
 
 def say(msg, voice):
-    subprocess.call(["/usr/bin/say", msg, "--voice=%s" % (voice)])
+    subprocess.call([SAY_CMD, msg, "--voice=%s" % (voice)])
 
 class CallbackModule(object):
     """
     makes Ansible much more exciting on OS X.
     """
+    def __init__(self):
+        # plugin disable itself if say is not present
+        # ansible will not call any callback if disabled is set to True
+        if not os.path.exists(SAY_CMD):
+            self.disabled = True
+            print "%s does not exist, plugin %s disabled" % \
+                    (SAY_CMD, os.path.basename(__file__))
 
     def on_any(self, *args, **kwargs):
         pass