diff --git a/src/meson.build b/src/meson.build
index e336037a2..a7c501b78 100644
--- a/src/meson.build
+++ b/src/meson.build
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ defs_list = [harfbuzz_def]
 version = '0.@0@.0'.format(hb_version_int)
 
 extra_hb_cpp_args = []
-if cpp.get_id() == 'msvc'
+if cpp.get_argument_syntax() == 'msvc'
   if get_option('default_library') != 'static'
     extra_hb_cpp_args += '-DHB_DLL_EXPORT'
   endif