diff --git a/src/hb-ot-shape.hh b/src/hb-ot-shape.hh
index b7c0f10..0916442 100644
--- a/src/hb-ot-shape.hh
+++ b/src/hb-ot-shape.hh
@@ -80,7 +80,11 @@
   bool adjust_mark_positioning_when_zeroing : 1;
 
   bool apply_gpos : 1;
+#ifndef HB_NO_OT_KERN
   bool apply_kern : 1;
+#else
+  static constexpr bool apply_kern = false;
+#endif
 #ifndef HB_NO_SHAPE_AAT
   bool apply_kerx : 1;
   bool apply_morx : 1;