diff --git a/mesonbuild/envconfig.py b/mesonbuild/envconfig.py
index 219b62ec8..e3ceaddbd 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/envconfig.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/envconfig.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def get_env_var_pair(for_machine: MachineChoice,
         # compiling we fall back on the unprefixed host version. This
         # allows native builds to never need to worry about the 'BUILD_*'
         # ones.
-        ([var_name + '_FOR_BUILD'] if is_cross else [var_name]),
+        [var_name + '_FOR_BUILD'] + ([] if is_cross else [var_name]),
         # Always just the unprefixed host verions
         [var_name]
     )[for_machine]