diff --git a/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py b/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py
index be111ea7d..595a93811 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/modules/gnome.py
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ class GnomeModule:
                 ldflags.update(extdepflags[1])
                 gi_includes.update(extdepflags[2])
                 for source in dep.sources:
-                    if isinstance(source.held_object, GirTarget):
+                    if hasattr(source, 'held_object') and isinstance(source.held_object, GirTarget):
                         gi_includes.update([os.path.join(state.environment.get_build_dir(),
                                         source.held_object.get_subdir())])
             # This should be any dependency other than an internal one.