diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 4c2649a146..b0c8a85c62 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -465,7 +465,7 @@ if have_orcc
     ]
   endforeach
 
-  if meson.version().version_compare('>= 0.52')
+  if meson.version().version_compare('>= 0.52') and orc_update_targets.length() > 0
     update_orc_dist_target = alias_target('update-orc-dist', orc_update_targets)
   endif
 endif