diff --git a/mesonbuild/interpreter/interpreter.py b/mesonbuild/interpreter/interpreter.py
index dd73522a0..04fa67a95 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/interpreter/interpreter.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/interpreter/interpreter.py
@@ -1127,7 +1127,7 @@ class Interpreter(InterpreterBase, HoldableObject):
             return
         from ..backend import backends
 
-        if OptionKey('genvslite') in self.user_defined_options.cmd_line_options.keys():
+        if OptionKey('genvslite') in self.user_defined_options.cmd_line_options:
             # Use of the '--genvslite vsxxxx' option ultimately overrides any '--backend xxx'
             # option the user may specify.
             backend_name = self.coredata.get_option(OptionKey('genvslite'))