diff --git a/devtools/test-meson-builds.sh b/devtools/test-meson-builds.sh
index e20a1c1df3..3a308bc9af 100755
--- a/devtools/test-meson-builds.sh
+++ b/devtools/test-meson-builds.sh
@@ -109,6 +109,11 @@ config () #
return
fi
options=
+ # deprecated libs may be disabled by default, so for complete builds ensure
+ # no libs are disabled
+ if ! echo $* | grep -q -- 'disable_libs' ; then
+ options="$options -Ddisable_libs="
+ fi
if echo $* | grep -qw -- '--default-library=shared' ; then
options="$options -Dexamples=all"
else