diff --git a/src/node/optimizer/index.ts b/src/node/optimizer/index.ts
index b1e49ebe14c94a..a6ce65ee4aeb93 100644
--- a/src/node/optimizer/index.ts
+++ b/src/node/optimizer/index.ts
@@ -43,6 +43,11 @@ export interface DepOptimizationOptions {
    * are also included for optimization.
    */
   link?: string[]
+  /**
+   * A list of depdendencies that imports Node built-ins, but do not actually
+   * use them in browsers.
+   */
+  allowNodeBuiltins?: string[]
   /**
    * Automatically run `vite optimize` on server start?
    * @default true
@@ -181,7 +186,9 @@ export async function optimizeDeps(
       onwarn: onRollupWarning(spinner),
       ...config.rollupInputOptions,
       plugins: [
-        createBuiltInBailPlugin(),
+        createBuiltInBailPlugin(
+          config.optimizeDeps && config.optimizeDeps.allowNodeBuiltins
+        ),
         depAssetExternalPlugin,
         ...(await createBaseRollupPlugins(root, resolver, config)),
         createDepAssetPlugin(resolver)
@@ -225,12 +232,13 @@ export async function optimizeDeps(
             `Tip:\nMake sure your "dependencies" only include packages that you\n` +
               `intend to use in the browser. If it's a Node.js package, it\n` +
               `should be in "devDependencies".\n\n` +
-              `You can also configure what deps to include/exclude for\n` +
-              `optimization using the "optimizeDeps" option in vite.config.js.\n\n` +
-              `If you do intend to use this dependency in the browser, then\n` +
-              `unfortunately it is not distributed in a web-friendly way and\n` +
-              `it is recommended to look for a modern alternative that ships\n` +
-              `ES module build.\n`
+              `If you do intend to use this dependency in the browser and the\n` +
+              `dependency does not actually use these Node built-ins in the\n` +
+              `browser, you can add the dependency (not the built-in) to the\n` +
+              `"optimizeDeps.allowNodeBuiltins" option in vite.config.js.\n\n` +
+              `If that results in a runtime error, then unfortunately the\n` +
+              `package is not distributed in a web-friendly format. You should\n` +
+              `open an issue in its repo, or look for a modern alternative.`
           )
           // TODO link to docs once we have it
         )
diff --git a/src/node/optimizer/pluginBuiltInBail.ts b/src/node/optimizer/pluginBuiltInBail.ts
index 849a8b072311df..c095140b92b15c 100644
--- a/src/node/optimizer/pluginBuiltInBail.ts
+++ b/src/node/optimizer/pluginBuiltInBail.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 import { Plugin } from 'rollup'
 import { lookupFile } from '../utils'
+import { DepOptimizationOptions } from '.'
+import chalk from 'chalk'
 
-export const createBuiltInBailPlugin = (): Plugin => {
+export const createBuiltInBailPlugin = (
+  allowList: DepOptimizationOptions['allowNodeBuiltins']
+): Plugin => {
   const isbuiltin = require('isbuiltin')
 
   return {
@@ -15,12 +19,18 @@ export const createBuiltInBailPlugin = (): Plugin => {
             importingDep = pkg.name
           }
         }
+        if (importingDep && allowList && allowList.includes(importingDep)) {
+          return null
+        }
         const dep = importingDep
-          ? `Dependency "${importingDep}"`
+          ? `Dependency ${chalk.yellow(importingDep)}`
           : `A dependency`
         throw new Error(
-          `${dep} is attempting to import Node built-in module "${id}". ` +
-            `This will not work in a browser environment.`
+          `${dep} is attempting to import Node built-in module ${chalk.yellow(
+            id
+          )}.\n` +
+            `This will not work in a browser environment.\n` +
+            `Imported by: ${chalk.gray(importer)}`
         )
       }
       return null