diff --git a/validate/launcher/apps/gstcheck.py b/validate/launcher/apps/gstcheck.py
index e0a0613d0b..f6c16704f8 100644
--- a/validate/launcher/apps/gstcheck.py
+++ b/validate/launcher/apps/gstcheck.py
@@ -114,6 +114,8 @@ class MesonTestsManager(TestsManager):
         return mesontests
 
     def rebuild(self, all=False):
+        if not self.options.meson_build_dirs:
+            self.options.meson_build_dirs = [config.BUILDDIR]
         if self.options.meson_no_rebuild:
             return True