diff --git a/pkgs/development/libraries/gobject-introspection/default.nix b/pkgs/development/libraries/gobject-introspection/default.nix
index 02d2dbb6a532..4b388cba6b96 100644
--- a/pkgs/development/libraries/gobject-introspection/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/development/libraries/gobject-introspection/default.nix
@@ -79,7 +79,8 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (finalAttrs: {
     # Build definition checks for the Python modules needed at runtime by importing them.
     (buildPackages.python3.withPackages pythonModules)
     finalAttrs.setupHook # move .gir files
-  ] ++ lib.optionals (!stdenv.buildPlatform.canExecute stdenv.hostPlatform) [ gobject-introspection-unwrapped ];
+    # can't use canExecute, we need prebuilt when cross
+  ] ++ lib.optionals (stdenv.buildPlatform != stdenv.hostPlatform) [ gobject-introspection-unwrapped ];
 
   buildInputs = [
     (python3.withPackages pythonModules)
@@ -106,8 +107,10 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation (finalAttrs: {
       inherit (buildPackages) bash;
       buildlddtree = "${buildPackages.pax-utils}/bin/lddtree";
     }}"
-    "-Dgi_cross_use_prebuilt_gi=true"
     "-Dgi_cross_binary_wrapper=${stdenv.hostPlatform.emulator buildPackages}"
+    # can't use canExecute, we need prebuilt when cross
+  ] ++ lib.optionals (stdenv.buildPlatform != stdenv.hostPlatform) [
+    "-Dgi_cross_use_prebuilt_gi=true"
   ];
 
   doCheck = !stdenv.isAarch64;