diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 0b53d1967..dd5e84877 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -45,7 +45,8 @@ if host_machine.system() == 'windows'
     add_project_arguments('-DNOMINMAX', '-D_WIN32_WINNT=0x0602', language: 'cpp')
 endif
 
-if get_option('debug')
+# MSVC sets this automatically with -MDd, but it has a different meaning on other platforms
+if get_option('debug') and host_machine.system() != 'windows'
     add_project_arguments('-D_DEBUG', language: 'cpp')
 endif