diff --git a/src/util/virdbuspriv.h b/src/util/virdbuspriv.h
index 424774659e..74b395f70d 100644
--- a/src/util/virdbuspriv.h
+++ b/src/util/virdbuspriv.h
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 
 # include "virdbus.h"
 
-# if !HAVE_DBUSBASICVALUE
+# if defined(WITH_DBUS) && !HAVE_DBUSBASICVALUE
 /* Copied (and simplified) from dbus 1.6.12, for use with older dbus headers */
 typedef union
 {