diff --git a/pkgs/build-support/lib/meson.nix b/pkgs/build-support/lib/meson.nix
index 456c10fcb8ee..9ffc5b8c1710 100644
--- a/pkgs/build-support/lib/meson.nix
+++ b/pkgs/build-support/lib/meson.nix
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ let
     [binaries]
     llvm-config = 'llvm-config-native'
     rust = ['rustc', '--target', '${stdenv.targetPlatform.rust.rustcTargetSpec}']
+    # Meson refuses to consider any CMake binary during cross compilation if it's
+    # not explicitly specified here, in the cross file.
+    # https://github.com/mesonbuild/meson/blob/0ed78cf6fa6d87c0738f67ae43525e661b50a8a2/mesonbuild/cmake/executor.py#L72
+    cmake = 'cmake'
   '';
 
   crossFlags = optionals (stdenv.hostPlatform != stdenv.buildPlatform) [ "--cross-file=${crossFile}" ];