diff --git a/mesonbuild/dependencies/misc.py b/mesonbuild/dependencies/misc.py
index 9614f1f0d..2ea8ed1eb 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/dependencies/misc.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/dependencies/misc.py
@@ -173,7 +173,12 @@ class BoostDependency(ExternalDependency):
         if self.is_found:
             self.detect_lib_modules()
             mlog.debug('Boost library directory is', mlog.bold(self.libdir))
-            self.validate_requested()
+            for m in self.requested_modules:
+                if 'boost_' + m not in self.lib_modules:
+                    mlog.debug('Requested Boost library {!r} not found'.format(m))
+                    self.log_fail()
+                    self.is_found = False
+                    return
             self.log_success()
         else:
             self.log_fail()
@@ -262,12 +267,6 @@ class BoostDependency(ExternalDependency):
                 raise DependencyException('Boost module argument is not a string.')
         return candidates
 
-    def validate_requested(self):
-        for m in self.requested_modules:
-            if 'boost_' + m not in self.lib_modules:
-                msg = 'Requested Boost library {!r} not found'
-                raise DependencyException(msg.format(m))
-
     def detect_version(self):
         try:
             version = self.compiler.get_define('BOOST_LIB_VERSION', '#include <boost/version.hpp>', self.env, self.get_compile_args(), [])