diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3a9c052..eef95fb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -53,12 +53,16 @@ that contains all the files.
 Here's a minimal example:
 
 ```python
+from os import environ
+
 from split_settings.tools import optional, include
 
+ENV = environ.get('ENV', 'local')
+
 include(
     'components/base.py',
     'components/database.py',
-    optional('local_settings.py')
+    optional('local_settings.py' if ENV == 'local' else None),
 )
 ```
 
diff --git a/split_settings/tools.py b/split_settings/tools.py
index 45d08df..5f49af4 100644
--- a/split_settings/tools.py
+++ b/split_settings/tools.py
@@ -83,6 +83,10 @@ def include(*args: str, **kwargs) -> None:  # noqa: WPS210, WPS231, C901
     conf_path = os.path.dirname(including_file)
 
     for conf_file in args:
+        # skip optional empty values
+        if not conf_file and isinstance(conf_file, _Optional):
+            continue
+
         saved_included_file = scope.get(_INCLUDED_FILE)
         pattern = os.path.join(conf_path, conf_file)
 
diff --git a/tests/settings/merged/__init__.py b/tests/settings/merged/__init__.py
index 80e1379..07fc86a 100644
--- a/tests/settings/merged/__init__.py
+++ b/tests/settings/merged/__init__.py
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@
     # Missing file:
     optional('components/missing_file.py'),
 
+    # Conditional inclusion:
+    optional('components/conditional.py' if False else None),  # noqa: WPS314
+
     # Scope:
     scope=globals(),  # noqa: WPS421
 )