diff --git a/mesonbuild/dependencies/base.py b/mesonbuild/dependencies/base.py
index 032672d9b..6f4552b4a 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/dependencies/base.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/dependencies/base.py
@@ -649,6 +649,8 @@ class PkgConfigDependency(ExternalDependency):
         if ret != 0:
             return
 
+        self.is_found = True
+
         try:
             # Fetch cargs to be used while using this dependency
             self._set_cargs()
@@ -663,8 +665,6 @@ class PkgConfigDependency(ExternalDependency):
                 self.is_found = False
                 self.reason = e
 
-        self.is_found = True
-
     def __repr__(self):
         s = '<{0} {1}: {2} {3}>'
         return s.format(self.__class__.__name__, self.name, self.is_found,