diff --git a/kiwixbuild/dependencies/base.py b/kiwixbuild/dependencies/base.py
index a527478..68bf895 100644
--- a/kiwixbuild/dependencies/base.py
+++ b/kiwixbuild/dependencies/base.py
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ class MesonBuilder(Builder):
         if not self.target.force_native_build and self.buildEnv.meson_crossfile:
             cross_options += ["--cross-file", self.buildEnv.meson_crossfile]
         command = [
-            *neutralEnv("meson_command"),
+            *neutralEnv("meson_command"), "setup",
             ".",
             self.build_path,
             f"--buildtype={self.build_type}",