diff --git a/test/meson.build b/test/meson.build
index 2a8e93bc2..c4690e1fb 100644
--- a/test/meson.build
+++ b/test/meson.build
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ gtest_dep = dependency('gtest',
                        fallback: ['gtest', 'gtest_main_dep'],
                        required:false)
 
-if gtest_dep.found()
+if gtest_dep.found() and not meson.is_cross_build()
     foreach test_name : tests
         test_exe = executable(test_name, [test_name+'.cpp'],
                               link_with : kiwixlib,