diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index d7dd9b4..1fa6d64 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ if x11_dep.found() and xext_dep.found()
 
   # Can skip the run check by providing the result in a cross file or
   # native file as bool property value.
-  prop = meson.get_external_property('ipc_rmid_deferred_release', 'auto')
+  prop = meson.get_external_property('ipc_rmid_deferred_release', 'false')
   # We don't know the type of prop (bool, string) but need to differentiate
   # between a set value (bool) or the fallback value (string), so convert to
   # a string and chec the string value.