diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 285e07778f..71643080b0 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -5235,6 +5235,11 @@ CLEANFILES += \
 ###############################################################################
 
 include Makefile.examples
+if WITH_PYTHON_BLACK
+check-python-black:
+	$(BLACK) --check $(top_srcdir)
+check_local += check-python-black
+endif
 
 ###############################################################################
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 175ee554ed..2ace7ecaee 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -1272,6 +1272,10 @@ else
 	have_introspection=no
 fi
 
+# check for python black. And check if all files are formatted with python black
+AC_PATH_PROG(BLACK, black)
+AM_CONDITIONAL(WITH_PYTHON_BLACK, test "${BLACK}" != "")
+
 # check for pregenerated manpages and documentation to be installed
 use_pregen_docs=no
 if test "$build_docs" != "yes" -a \