diff --git a/stubs/meson.build b/stubs/meson.build
index e91614a874..a8b3aeb564 100644
--- a/stubs/meson.build
+++ b/stubs/meson.build
@@ -57,8 +57,8 @@ if have_user
   stub_ss.add(files('cpu-synchronize-state.c'))
 
   # Stubs for QAPI events.  Those can always be included in the build, but
-  # they are not built at all for --disable-system --disable-tools builds.
-  if not (have_system or have_tools)
+  # they are not built at all for --disable-system builds.
+  if not have_system
     stub_ss.add(files('qdev.c'))
   endif
 endif