diff --git a/mesonbuild/compilers/c.py b/mesonbuild/compilers/c.py
index 2d70d7279..7df31b6b5 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/compilers/c.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/compilers/c.py
@@ -763,7 +763,7 @@ class CCompiler(Compiler):
             val = env.properties.host.get(varname, None)
             if val is not None:
                 if isinstance(val, bool):
-                    return val, True
+                    return val, False
                 raise EnvironmentException('Cross variable {0} is not a boolean.'.format(varname))
 
         fargs = {'prefix': prefix, 'func': funcname}