diff --git a/build.rs b/build.rs
index 02fce9d..5f2f8cc 100644
--- a/build.rs
+++ b/build.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 use std::io::Result;
 
 fn main() -> Result<()> {
-    prost_build::compile_protos(&["src/items.proto"], &["src/"])?;
+    let mut config = prost_build::Config::new();
+    config.protoc_arg("--experimental_allow_proto3_optional");
+    config.compile_protos(&["src/items.proto"], &["src/"])?;
+
     Ok(())
 }