diff --git a/scripts/rpcgen/meson.build b/scripts/rpcgen/meson.build
index 7fb32c0f91..bce652c7ad 100644
--- a/scripts/rpcgen/meson.build
+++ b/scripts/rpcgen/meson.build
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 subdir('rpcgen')
 
-if tests_enabled[0]
+if tests_enabled[0] and xdr_dep.found()
   subdir('tests')
 
   if pytest_prog.found() and host_machine.system() != 'darwin'