diff --git a/hw/nvram/meson.build b/hw/nvram/meson.build
index 202a5466e6..f5ee9f6b88 100644
--- a/hw/nvram/meson.build
+++ b/hw/nvram/meson.build
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
-# QOM interfaces must be available anytime QOM is used.
-qom_ss.add(files('fw_cfg-interface.c'))
+if have_system or have_tools
+  # QOM interfaces must be available anytime QOM is used.
+  qom_ss.add(files('fw_cfg-interface.c'))
+endif
 
 softmmu_ss.add(files('fw_cfg.c'))
 softmmu_ss.add(when: 'CONFIG_CHRP_NVRAM', if_true: files('chrp_nvram.c'))