diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 9efe91978..6a670bf94 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ if x11_dep.found() and xext_dep.found()
 
   # Can skip the run check by providing the result in a cross file or
   # native file as bool property value.
-  prop = meson.get_external_property('ipc_rmid_deferred_release', 'auto')
+  prop = meson.get_external_property('ipc_rmid_deferred_release', meson.is_cross_build() ? 'false' : 'auto')
   # We don't know the type of prop (bool, string) but need to differentiate
   # between a set value (bool) or the fallback value (string), so convert to
   # a string and check the string value.