diff --git a/interpreter.py b/interpreter.py
index 0be909a01..15f05cd7a 100644
--- a/interpreter.py
+++ b/interpreter.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import nodes
 import environment
 import coredata
 import dependencies
-import os, sys, platform, copy, subprocess
+import os, sys, platform, copy, subprocess, shutil
 
 class InterpreterException(coredata.MesonException):
     pass
@@ -57,8 +57,13 @@ class RunProcess(InterpreterObject):
             return subprocess.Popen(command_array, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
         except FileNotFoundError:
             pass
-        # Was not a command, try to run as a script relative to current dir.
-        fullpath = os.path.join(curdir, command_array[0])
+        # Was not a command, is a program in path?
+        exe = shutil.which(cmd_name)
+        if exe is not None:
+            command_array = [exe] + command_array[1:]
+            return subprocess.Popen(command_array, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+        # No? Maybe it is a script in the source tree.
+        fullpath = os.path.join(curdir, cmd_name)
         command_array = [fullpath] + command_array[1:]
         try:
             return subprocess.Popen(command_array, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
diff --git a/test cases/common/38 run program/meson.build b/test cases/common/38 run program/meson.build
index e03564378..5fe03d376 100644
--- a/test cases/common/38 run program/meson.build	
+++ b/test cases/common/38 run program/meson.build	
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 project('run command', 'c')
 
-c = run_command('echo', 'hello')
+if host.name() == 'windows'
+  c = run_command('cmd', '/c', 'echo', 'hello')
+else
+  c = run_command('echo', 'hello')
+endif
+
 correct = 'hello'
 
 if c.returncode() != 0
@@ -19,8 +24,11 @@ endif
 
 # Now the same with a script.
 
-cs = run_command('scripts/hello.sh')
-correct = 'hello'
+if host.name() == 'windows'
+  cs = run_command('scripts/hello.bat')
+else
+  cs = run_command('scripts/hello.sh')
+endif
 
 if cs.returncode() != 0
   error('Executing script failed.')
diff --git a/test cases/common/38 run program/scripts/hello.bat b/test cases/common/38 run program/scripts/hello.bat
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cbc346bf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test cases/common/38 run program/scripts/hello.bat	
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+@ECHO OFF
+ECHO hello