diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 2a36a1b0038..1e07f92a72f 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -2316,7 +2316,9 @@ elif host_machine.system() == 'windows' and cc.get_argument_syntax() != 'msvc'
 else
   prog_nm = find_program('nm')
   with_symbols_check = prog_nm.found() and with_tests
-  symbols_check_args = ['--nm', prog_nm.full_path()]
+  if with_symbols_check
+    symbols_check_args = ['--nm', prog_nm.full_path()]
+  endif
 endif
 
 # This quirk needs to be applied to sources with functions defined in assembly