diff --git a/mesonbuild/environment.py b/mesonbuild/environment.py
index 584d7366d448..c09d7e312ab7 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/environment.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/environment.py
@@ -991,6 +991,8 @@ def need_exe_wrapper(self, for_machine: MachineChoice = MachineChoice.HOST):
         value = self.properties[for_machine].get('needs_exe_wrapper', None)
         if value is not None:
             return value
+        if not self.is_cross_build():
+            return False
         return not machine_info_can_run(self.machines[for_machine])
 
     def get_exe_wrapper(self) -> T.Optional[ExternalProgram]: