diff --git a/qapi/block-core.json b/qapi/block-core.json
index 675d8265eb..06674c25c9 100644
--- a/qapi/block-core.json
+++ b/qapi/block-core.json
@@ -914,7 +914,7 @@
   'data': {
       'file': 'BlockStatsSpecificFile',
       'host_device': { 'type': 'BlockStatsSpecificFile',
-                       'if': 'defined(HAVE_HOST_BLOCK_DEVICE)' },
+                       'if': 'HAVE_HOST_BLOCK_DEVICE' },
       'nvme': 'BlockStatsSpecificNvme' } }
 
 ##
@@ -2796,7 +2796,7 @@
 ##
 { 'enum': 'BlockdevAioOptions',
   'data': [ 'threads', 'native',
-            { 'name': 'io_uring', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_LINUX_IO_URING)' } ] }
+            { 'name': 'io_uring', 'if': 'CONFIG_LINUX_IO_URING' } ] }
 
 ##
 # @BlockdevCacheOptions:
@@ -2832,12 +2832,12 @@
   'data': [ 'blkdebug', 'blklogwrites', 'blkreplay', 'blkverify', 'bochs',
             'cloop', 'compress', 'copy-on-read', 'dmg', 'file', 'ftp', 'ftps',
             'gluster',
-            {'name': 'host_cdrom', 'if': 'defined(HAVE_HOST_BLOCK_DEVICE)' },
-            {'name': 'host_device', 'if': 'defined(HAVE_HOST_BLOCK_DEVICE)' },
+            {'name': 'host_cdrom', 'if': 'HAVE_HOST_BLOCK_DEVICE' },
+            {'name': 'host_device', 'if': 'HAVE_HOST_BLOCK_DEVICE' },
             'http', 'https', 'iscsi',
             'luks', 'nbd', 'nfs', 'null-aio', 'null-co', 'nvme', 'parallels',
             'preallocate', 'qcow', 'qcow2', 'qed', 'quorum', 'raw', 'rbd',
-            { 'name': 'replication', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_REPLICATION)' },
+            { 'name': 'replication', 'if': 'CONFIG_REPLICATION' },
             'ssh', 'throttle', 'vdi', 'vhdx', 'vmdk', 'vpc', 'vvfat' ] }
 
 ##
@@ -2879,10 +2879,10 @@
             '*locking': 'OnOffAuto',
             '*aio': 'BlockdevAioOptions',
             '*drop-cache': {'type': 'bool',
-                            'if': 'defined(CONFIG_LINUX)'},
+                            'if': 'CONFIG_LINUX'},
             '*x-check-cache-dropped': 'bool' },
   'features': [ { 'name': 'dynamic-auto-read-only',
-                  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_POSIX)' } ] }
+                  'if': 'CONFIG_POSIX' } ] }
 
 ##
 # @BlockdevOptionsNull:
@@ -3774,7 +3774,7 @@
 # Since: 2.9
 ##
 { 'enum' : 'ReplicationMode', 'data' : [ 'primary', 'secondary' ],
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_REPLICATION)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_REPLICATION' }
 
 ##
 # @BlockdevOptionsReplication:
@@ -3793,7 +3793,7 @@
   'base': 'BlockdevOptionsGenericFormat',
   'data': { 'mode': 'ReplicationMode',
             '*top-id': 'str' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_REPLICATION)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_REPLICATION' }
 
 ##
 # @NFSTransport:
@@ -4108,9 +4108,9 @@
       'ftps':       'BlockdevOptionsCurlFtps',
       'gluster':    'BlockdevOptionsGluster',
       'host_cdrom':  { 'type': 'BlockdevOptionsFile',
-                       'if': 'defined(HAVE_HOST_BLOCK_DEVICE)' },
+                       'if': 'HAVE_HOST_BLOCK_DEVICE' },
       'host_device': { 'type': 'BlockdevOptionsFile',
-                       'if': 'defined(HAVE_HOST_BLOCK_DEVICE)' },
+                       'if': 'HAVE_HOST_BLOCK_DEVICE' },
       'http':       'BlockdevOptionsCurlHttp',
       'https':      'BlockdevOptionsCurlHttps',
       'iscsi':      'BlockdevOptionsIscsi',
@@ -4129,7 +4129,7 @@
       'raw':        'BlockdevOptionsRaw',
       'rbd':        'BlockdevOptionsRbd',
       'replication': { 'type': 'BlockdevOptionsReplication',
-                       'if': 'defined(CONFIG_REPLICATION)' },
+                       'if': 'CONFIG_REPLICATION' },
       'ssh':        'BlockdevOptionsSsh',
       'throttle':   'BlockdevOptionsThrottle',
       'vdi':        'BlockdevOptionsGenericFormat',
@@ -4307,8 +4307,8 @@
 # @size: Size of the virtual disk in bytes
 # @preallocation: Preallocation mode for the new image (default: off;
 #                 allowed values: off,
-#                 falloc (if defined CONFIG_POSIX_FALLOCATE),
-#                 full (if defined CONFIG_POSIX))
+#                 falloc (if CONFIG_POSIX_FALLOCATE),
+#                 full (if CONFIG_POSIX))
 # @nocow: Turn off copy-on-write (valid only on btrfs; default: off)
 # @extent-size-hint: Extent size hint to add to the image file; 0 for not
 #                    adding an extent size hint (default: 1 MB, since 5.1)
@@ -4331,8 +4331,8 @@
 # @size: Size of the virtual disk in bytes
 # @preallocation: Preallocation mode for the new image (default: off;
 #                 allowed values: off,
-#                 falloc (if defined CONFIG_GLUSTERFS_FALLOCATE),
-#                 full (if defined CONFIG_GLUSTERFS_ZEROFILL))
+#                 falloc (if CONFIG_GLUSTERFS_FALLOCATE),
+#                 full (if CONFIG_GLUSTERFS_ZEROFILL))
 #
 # Since: 2.12
 ##
@@ -4432,7 +4432,7 @@
 # Since: 5.1
 ##
 { 'enum': 'Qcow2CompressionType',
-  'data': [ 'zlib', { 'name': 'zstd', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_ZSTD)' } ] }
+  'data': [ 'zlib', { 'name': 'zstd', 'if': 'CONFIG_ZSTD' } ] }
 
 ##
 # @BlockdevCreateOptionsQcow2:
diff --git a/qapi/block-export.json b/qapi/block-export.json
index 0ed63442a8..c1b92ce1c1 100644
--- a/qapi/block-export.json
+++ b/qapi/block-export.json
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@
   'data': { 'mountpoint': 'str',
             '*growable': 'bool',
             '*allow-other': 'FuseExportAllowOther' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_FUSE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_FUSE' }
 
 ##
 # @NbdServerAddOptions:
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@
 ##
 { 'enum': 'BlockExportType',
   'data': [ 'nbd', 'vhost-user-blk',
-            { 'name': 'fuse', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_FUSE)' } ] }
+            { 'name': 'fuse', 'if': 'CONFIG_FUSE' } ] }
 
 ##
 # @BlockExportOptions:
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@
       'nbd': 'BlockExportOptionsNbd',
       'vhost-user-blk': 'BlockExportOptionsVhostUserBlk',
       'fuse': { 'type': 'BlockExportOptionsFuse',
-                'if': 'defined(CONFIG_FUSE)' }
+                'if': 'CONFIG_FUSE' }
    } }
 
 ##
diff --git a/qapi/char.json b/qapi/char.json
index adf2685f68..9b18ee3305 100644
--- a/qapi/char.json
+++ b/qapi/char.json
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@
 { 'struct': 'ChardevSpiceChannel',
   'data': { 'type': 'str' },
   'base': 'ChardevCommon',
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @ChardevSpicePort:
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@
 { 'struct': 'ChardevSpicePort',
   'data': { 'fqdn': 'str' },
   'base': 'ChardevCommon',
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @ChardevVC:
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@
   'data': { '*mouse': 'bool',
             '*clipboard': 'bool' },
   'base': 'ChardevCommon',
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE_PROTOCOL)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE_PROTOCOL' }
 
 ##
 # @ChardevBackend:
@@ -431,11 +431,11 @@
             'stdio': 'ChardevStdio',
             'console': 'ChardevCommon',
             'spicevmc': { 'type': 'ChardevSpiceChannel',
-                          'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' },
+                          'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' },
             'spiceport': { 'type': 'ChardevSpicePort',
-                           'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' },
+                           'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' },
             'qemu-vdagent': { 'type': 'ChardevQemuVDAgent',
-                              'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE_PROTOCOL)' },
+                              'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE_PROTOCOL' },
             'vc': 'ChardevVC',
             'ringbuf': 'ChardevRingbuf',
             # next one is just for compatibility
diff --git a/qapi/machine-target.json b/qapi/machine-target.json
index 9b56b81bea..f5ec4bc172 100644
--- a/qapi/machine-target.json
+++ b/qapi/machine-target.json
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@
 ##
 { 'struct': 'CpuModelBaselineInfo',
   'data': { 'model': 'CpuModelInfo' },
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_S390X)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_S390X' }
 
 ##
 # @CpuModelCompareInfo:
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@
 { 'struct': 'CpuModelCompareInfo',
   'data': { 'result': 'CpuModelCompareResult',
             'responsible-properties': ['str'] },
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_S390X)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_S390X' }
 
 ##
 # @query-cpu-model-comparison:
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@
 { 'command': 'query-cpu-model-comparison',
   'data': { 'modela': 'CpuModelInfo', 'modelb': 'CpuModelInfo' },
   'returns': 'CpuModelCompareInfo',
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_S390X)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_S390X' }
 
 ##
 # @query-cpu-model-baseline:
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@
   'data': { 'modela': 'CpuModelInfo',
             'modelb': 'CpuModelInfo' },
   'returns': 'CpuModelBaselineInfo',
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_S390X)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_S390X' }
 
 ##
 # @CpuModelExpansionInfo:
@@ -213,9 +213,9 @@
 ##
 { 'struct': 'CpuModelExpansionInfo',
   'data': { 'model': 'CpuModelInfo' },
-  'if': { 'any': [ 'defined(TARGET_S390X)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_I386)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_ARM)'] } }
+  'if': { 'any': [ 'TARGET_S390X',
+                   'TARGET_I386',
+                   'TARGET_ARM' ] } }
 
 ##
 # @query-cpu-model-expansion:
@@ -254,9 +254,9 @@
   'data': { 'type': 'CpuModelExpansionType',
             'model': 'CpuModelInfo' },
   'returns': 'CpuModelExpansionInfo',
-  'if': { 'any': [ 'defined(TARGET_S390X)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_I386)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_ARM)' ] } }
+  'if': { 'any': [ 'TARGET_S390X',
+                   'TARGET_I386',
+                   'TARGET_ARM' ] } }
 
 ##
 # @CpuDefinitionInfo:
@@ -320,11 +320,11 @@
             'typename': 'str',
             '*alias-of' : 'str',
             'deprecated' : 'bool' },
-  'if': { 'any': [ 'defined(TARGET_PPC)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_ARM)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_I386)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_S390X)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_MIPS)' ] } }
+  'if': { 'any': [ 'TARGET_PPC',
+                   'TARGET_ARM',
+                   'TARGET_I386',
+                   'TARGET_S390X',
+                   'TARGET_MIPS' ] } }
 
 ##
 # @query-cpu-definitions:
@@ -336,8 +336,8 @@
 # Since: 1.2
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-cpu-definitions', 'returns': ['CpuDefinitionInfo'],
-  'if': { 'any': [ 'defined(TARGET_PPC)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_ARM)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_I386)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_S390X)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_MIPS)' ] } }
+  'if': { 'any': [ 'TARGET_PPC',
+                   'TARGET_ARM',
+                   'TARGET_I386',
+                   'TARGET_S390X',
+                   'TARGET_MIPS' ] } }
diff --git a/qapi/migration.json b/qapi/migration.json
index 1124a2dda8..88f07baedd 100644
--- a/qapi/migration.json
+++ b/qapi/migration.json
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@
 ##
 { 'enum': 'MultiFDCompression',
   'data': [ 'none', 'zlib',
-            { 'name': 'zstd', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_ZSTD)' } ] }
+            { 'name': 'zstd', 'if': 'CONFIG_ZSTD' } ] }
 
 ##
 # @BitmapMigrationBitmapAliasTransform:
@@ -1562,7 +1562,7 @@
 ##
 { 'command': 'xen-set-replication',
   'data': { 'enable': 'bool', 'primary': 'bool', '*failover' : 'bool' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_REPLICATION)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_REPLICATION' }
 
 ##
 # @ReplicationStatus:
@@ -1578,7 +1578,7 @@
 ##
 { 'struct': 'ReplicationStatus',
   'data': { 'error': 'bool', '*desc': 'str' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_REPLICATION)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_REPLICATION' }
 
 ##
 # @query-xen-replication-status:
@@ -1596,7 +1596,7 @@
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-xen-replication-status',
   'returns': 'ReplicationStatus',
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_REPLICATION)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_REPLICATION' }
 
 ##
 # @xen-colo-do-checkpoint:
@@ -1613,7 +1613,7 @@
 # Since: 2.9
 ##
 { 'command': 'xen-colo-do-checkpoint',
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_REPLICATION)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_REPLICATION' }
 
 ##
 # @COLOStatus:
diff --git a/qapi/misc-target.json b/qapi/misc-target.json
index 9e2ea4a04a..3b05ad3dbf 100644
--- a/qapi/misc-target.json
+++ b/qapi/misc-target.json
@@ -23,17 +23,17 @@
 ##
 { 'event': 'RTC_CHANGE',
   'data': { 'offset': 'int' },
-  'if': { 'any': [ 'defined(TARGET_ALPHA)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_ARM)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_HPPA)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_I386)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_MIPS)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_MIPS64)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_PPC)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_PPC64)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_S390X)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_SH4)',
-                   'defined(TARGET_SPARC)' ] } }
+  'if': { 'any': [ 'TARGET_ALPHA',
+                   'TARGET_ARM',
+                   'TARGET_HPPA',
+                   'TARGET_I386',
+                   'TARGET_MIPS',
+                   'TARGET_MIPS64',
+                   'TARGET_PPC',
+                   'TARGET_PPC64',
+                   'TARGET_S390X',
+                   'TARGET_SH4',
+                   'TARGET_SPARC' ] } }
 
 ##
 # @rtc-reset-reinjection:
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'command': 'rtc-reset-reinjection',
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386' }
 
 
 ##
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
 { 'enum': 'SevState',
   'data': ['uninit', 'launch-update', 'launch-secret', 'running',
            'send-update', 'receive-update' ],
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386' }
 
 ##
 # @SevInfo:
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@
               'state' : 'SevState',
               'handle' : 'uint32'
             },
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)'
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386'
 }
 
 ##
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-sev', 'returns': 'SevInfo',
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386' }
 
 
 ##
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'struct': 'SevLaunchMeasureInfo', 'data': {'data': 'str'},
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386' }
 
 ##
 # @query-sev-launch-measure:
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-sev-launch-measure', 'returns': 'SevLaunchMeasureInfo',
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386' }
 
 
 ##
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@
             'cert-chain': 'str',
             'cbitpos': 'int',
             'reduced-phys-bits': 'int'},
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386' }
 
 ##
 # @query-sev-capabilities:
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-sev-capabilities', 'returns': 'SevCapability',
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386' }
 
 ##
 # @sev-inject-launch-secret:
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@
 ##
 { 'command': 'sev-inject-launch-secret',
   'data': { 'packet-header': 'str', 'secret': 'str', '*gpa': 'uint64' },
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386' }
 
 ##
 # @dump-skeys:
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@
 ##
 { 'command': 'dump-skeys',
   'data': { 'filename': 'str' },
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_S390X)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_S390X' }
 
 ##
 # @GICCapability:
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@
   'data': { 'version': 'int',
             'emulated': 'bool',
             'kernel': 'bool' },
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_ARM)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_ARM' }
 
 ##
 # @query-gic-capabilities:
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-gic-capabilities', 'returns': ['GICCapability'],
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_ARM)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_ARM' }
 
 
 ##
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@
 ##
 { 'struct': 'SevAttestationReport',
   'data': { 'data': 'str'},
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386' }
 
 ##
 # @query-sev-attestation-report:
@@ -332,4 +332,4 @@
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-sev-attestation-report', 'data': { 'mnonce': 'str' },
   'returns': 'SevAttestationReport',
-  'if': 'defined(TARGET_I386)' }
+  'if': 'TARGET_I386' }
diff --git a/qapi/qom.json b/qapi/qom.json
index 6d5f4a88e6..a25616bc7a 100644
--- a/qapi/qom.json
+++ b/qapi/qom.json
@@ -618,7 +618,7 @@
   'data': { '*align': 'size',
             '*discard-data': 'bool',
             'mem-path': 'str',
-            '*pmem': { 'type': 'bool', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_LIBPMEM)' },
+            '*pmem': { 'type': 'bool', 'if': 'CONFIG_LIBPMEM' },
             '*readonly': 'bool' } }
 
 ##
@@ -782,7 +782,7 @@
     'cryptodev-backend',
     'cryptodev-backend-builtin',
     { 'name': 'cryptodev-vhost-user',
-      'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VHOST_CRYPTO)' },
+      'if': 'CONFIG_VHOST_CRYPTO' },
     'dbus-vmstate',
     'filter-buffer',
     'filter-dump',
@@ -795,7 +795,7 @@
     'iothread',
     'memory-backend-file',
     { 'name': 'memory-backend-memfd',
-      'if': 'defined(CONFIG_LINUX)' },
+      'if': 'CONFIG_LINUX' },
     'memory-backend-ram',
     'pef-guest',
     'pr-manager-helper',
@@ -840,7 +840,7 @@
       'cryptodev-backend':          'CryptodevBackendProperties',
       'cryptodev-backend-builtin':  'CryptodevBackendProperties',
       'cryptodev-vhost-user':       { 'type': 'CryptodevVhostUserProperties',
-                                      'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VHOST_CRYPTO)' },
+                                      'if': 'CONFIG_VHOST_CRYPTO' },
       'dbus-vmstate':               'DBusVMStateProperties',
       'filter-buffer':              'FilterBufferProperties',
       'filter-dump':                'FilterDumpProperties',
@@ -853,7 +853,7 @@
       'iothread':                   'IothreadProperties',
       'memory-backend-file':        'MemoryBackendFileProperties',
       'memory-backend-memfd':       { 'type': 'MemoryBackendMemfdProperties',
-                                      'if': 'defined(CONFIG_LINUX)' },
+                                      'if': 'CONFIG_LINUX' },
       'memory-backend-ram':         'MemoryBackendProperties',
       'pr-manager-helper':          'PrManagerHelperProperties',
       'qtest':                      'QtestProperties',
diff --git a/qapi/sockets.json b/qapi/sockets.json
index 735eb4abb5..7866dc27d6 100644
--- a/qapi/sockets.json
+++ b/qapi/sockets.json
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
     '*ipv4': 'bool',
     '*ipv6': 'bool',
     '*keep-alive': 'bool',
-    '*mptcp': { 'type': 'bool', 'if': 'defined(IPPROTO_MPTCP)' } } }
+    '*mptcp': { 'type': 'bool', 'if': 'IPPROTO_MPTCP' } } }
 
 ##
 # @UnixSocketAddress:
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@
 { 'struct': 'UnixSocketAddress',
   'data': {
     'path': 'str',
-    '*abstract': { 'type': 'bool', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_LINUX)' },
-    '*tight': { 'type': 'bool', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_LINUX)' } } }
+    '*abstract': { 'type': 'bool', 'if': 'CONFIG_LINUX' },
+    '*tight': { 'type': 'bool', 'if': 'CONFIG_LINUX' } } }
 
 ##
 # @VsockSocketAddress:
diff --git a/qapi/tpm.json b/qapi/tpm.json
index 75590979fd..f4dde2f646 100644
--- a/qapi/tpm.json
+++ b/qapi/tpm.json
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 # Since: 1.5
 ##
 { 'enum': 'TpmModel', 'data': [ 'tpm-tis', 'tpm-crb', 'tpm-spapr' ],
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_TPM)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_TPM' }
 
 ##
 # @query-tpm-models:
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-tpm-models', 'returns': ['TpmModel'],
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_TPM)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_TPM' }
 
 ##
 # @TpmType:
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
 # Since: 1.5
 ##
 { 'enum': 'TpmType', 'data': [ 'passthrough', 'emulator' ],
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_TPM)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_TPM' }
 
 ##
 # @query-tpm-types:
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-tpm-types', 'returns': ['TpmType'],
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_TPM)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_TPM' }
 
 ##
 # @TPMPassthroughOptions:
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@
 { 'struct': 'TPMPassthroughOptions',
   'data': { '*path': 'str',
             '*cancel-path': 'str' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_TPM)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_TPM' }
 
 ##
 # @TPMEmulatorOptions:
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@
 # Since: 2.11
 ##
 { 'struct': 'TPMEmulatorOptions', 'data': { 'chardev' : 'str' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_TPM)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_TPM' }
 
 ##
 # @TpmTypeOptions:
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@
 { 'union': 'TpmTypeOptions',
    'data': { 'passthrough' : 'TPMPassthroughOptions',
              'emulator': 'TPMEmulatorOptions' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_TPM)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_TPM' }
 
 ##
 # @TPMInfo:
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
   'data': {'id': 'str',
            'model': 'TpmModel',
            'options': 'TpmTypeOptions' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_TPM)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_TPM' }
 
 ##
 # @query-tpm:
@@ -162,4 +162,4 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-tpm', 'returns': ['TPMInfo'],
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_TPM)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_TPM' }
diff --git a/qapi/ui.json b/qapi/ui.json
index aed2bec4ab..b2cf7a6759 100644
--- a/qapi/ui.json
+++ b/qapi/ui.json
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
   'data': { 'host': 'str',
             'port': 'str',
             'family': 'NetworkAddressFamily' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @SpiceServerInfo:
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@
 { 'struct': 'SpiceServerInfo',
   'base': 'SpiceBasicInfo',
   'data': { '*auth': 'str' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @SpiceChannel:
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@
   'base': 'SpiceBasicInfo',
   'data': {'connection-id': 'int', 'channel-type': 'int', 'channel-id': 'int',
            'tls': 'bool'},
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @SpiceQueryMouseMode:
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@
 ##
 { 'enum': 'SpiceQueryMouseMode',
   'data': [ 'client', 'server', 'unknown' ],
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @SpiceInfo:
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@
   'data': {'enabled': 'bool', 'migrated': 'bool', '*host': 'str', '*port': 'int',
            '*tls-port': 'int', '*auth': 'str', '*compiled-version': 'str',
            'mouse-mode': 'SpiceQueryMouseMode', '*channels': ['SpiceChannel']},
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @query-spice:
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-spice', 'returns': 'SpiceInfo',
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @SPICE_CONNECTED:
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@
 { 'event': 'SPICE_CONNECTED',
   'data': { 'server': 'SpiceBasicInfo',
             'client': 'SpiceBasicInfo' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @SPICE_INITIALIZED:
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@
 { 'event': 'SPICE_INITIALIZED',
   'data': { 'server': 'SpiceServerInfo',
             'client': 'SpiceChannel' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @SPICE_DISCONNECTED:
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@
 { 'event': 'SPICE_DISCONNECTED',
   'data': { 'server': 'SpiceBasicInfo',
             'client': 'SpiceBasicInfo' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # @SPICE_MIGRATE_COMPLETED:
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'event': 'SPICE_MIGRATE_COMPLETED',
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE' }
 
 ##
 # == VNC
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@
             'service': 'str',
             'family': 'NetworkAddressFamily',
             'websocket': 'bool' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @VncServerInfo:
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@
 { 'struct': 'VncServerInfo',
   'base': 'VncBasicInfo',
   'data': { '*auth': 'str' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @VncClientInfo:
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@
 { 'struct': 'VncClientInfo',
   'base': 'VncBasicInfo',
   'data': { '*x509_dname': 'str', '*sasl_username': 'str' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @VncInfo:
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@
   'data': {'enabled': 'bool', '*host': 'str',
            '*family': 'NetworkAddressFamily',
            '*service': 'str', '*auth': 'str', '*clients': ['VncClientInfo']},
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @VncPrimaryAuth:
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@
 { 'enum': 'VncPrimaryAuth',
   'data': [ 'none', 'vnc', 'ra2', 'ra2ne', 'tight', 'ultra',
             'tls', 'vencrypt', 'sasl' ],
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @VncVencryptSubAuth:
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@
             'tls-vnc',   'x509-vnc',
             'tls-plain', 'x509-plain',
             'tls-sasl',  'x509-sasl' ],
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @VncServerInfo2:
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@
   'base': 'VncBasicInfo',
   'data': { 'auth'      : 'VncPrimaryAuth',
             '*vencrypt' : 'VncVencryptSubAuth' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @VncInfo2:
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@
             'auth'      : 'VncPrimaryAuth',
             '*vencrypt' : 'VncVencryptSubAuth',
             '*display'  : 'str' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @query-vnc:
@@ -579,7 +579,7 @@
 #
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-vnc', 'returns': 'VncInfo',
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 ##
 # @query-vnc-servers:
 #
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@
 # Since: 2.3
 ##
 { 'command': 'query-vnc-servers', 'returns': ['VncInfo2'],
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @change-vnc-password:
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@
 ##
 { 'command': 'change-vnc-password',
   'data': { 'password': 'str' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @VNC_CONNECTED:
@@ -636,7 +636,7 @@
 { 'event': 'VNC_CONNECTED',
   'data': { 'server': 'VncServerInfo',
             'client': 'VncBasicInfo' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @VNC_INITIALIZED:
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@
 { 'event': 'VNC_INITIALIZED',
   'data': { 'server': 'VncServerInfo',
             'client': 'VncClientInfo' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # @VNC_DISCONNECTED:
@@ -691,7 +691,7 @@
 { 'event': 'VNC_DISCONNECTED',
   'data': { 'server': 'VncServerInfo',
             'client': 'VncClientInfo' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_VNC)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_VNC' }
 
 ##
 # = Input
@@ -1133,14 +1133,13 @@
   'data'    : [
     { 'name': 'default' },
     { 'name': 'none' },
-    { 'name': 'gtk', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_GTK)' },
-    { 'name': 'sdl', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SDL)' },
+    { 'name': 'gtk', 'if': 'CONFIG_GTK' },
+    { 'name': 'sdl', 'if': 'CONFIG_SDL' },
     { 'name': 'egl-headless',
-              'if': { 'all': [ 'defined(CONFIG_OPENGL)',
-                               'defined(CONFIG_GBM)' ] } },
-    { 'name': 'curses', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_CURSES)' },
-    { 'name': 'cocoa', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_COCOA)' },
-    { 'name': 'spice-app', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_SPICE)'} ] }
+              'if': { 'all': ['CONFIG_OPENGL', 'CONFIG_GBM'] } },
+    { 'name': 'curses', 'if': 'CONFIG_CURSES' },
+    { 'name': 'cocoa', 'if': 'CONFIG_COCOA' },
+    { 'name': 'spice-app', 'if': 'CONFIG_SPICE'} ] }
 
 ##
 # @DisplayOptions:
@@ -1165,11 +1164,10 @@
                 '*gl'            : 'DisplayGLMode' },
   'discriminator' : 'type',
   'data'    : {
-      'gtk': { 'type': 'DisplayGTK', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_GTK)' },
-      'curses': { 'type': 'DisplayCurses', 'if': 'defined(CONFIG_CURSES)' },
+      'gtk': { 'type': 'DisplayGTK', 'if': 'CONFIG_GTK' },
+      'curses': { 'type': 'DisplayCurses', 'if': 'CONFIG_CURSES' },
       'egl-headless': { 'type': 'DisplayEGLHeadless',
-                        'if': { 'all': [ 'defined(CONFIG_OPENGL)',
-                                         'defined(CONFIG_GBM)' ] } }
+                        'if': { 'all': ['CONFIG_OPENGL', 'CONFIG_GBM'] } }
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/qga/qapi-schema.json b/qga/qapi-schema.json
index fb17eebde3..c60f5e669d 100644
--- a/qga/qapi-schema.json
+++ b/qga/qapi-schema.json
@@ -1380,7 +1380,7 @@
   'data': {
       'keys': ['str']
   },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_POSIX)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_POSIX' }
 
 
 ##
@@ -1398,7 +1398,7 @@
 { 'command': 'guest-ssh-get-authorized-keys',
   'data': { 'username': 'str' },
   'returns': 'GuestAuthorizedKeys',
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_POSIX)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_POSIX' }
 
 ##
 # @guest-ssh-add-authorized-keys:
@@ -1416,7 +1416,7 @@
 ##
 { 'command': 'guest-ssh-add-authorized-keys',
   'data': { 'username': 'str', 'keys': ['str'], '*reset': 'bool' },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_POSIX)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_POSIX' }
 
 ##
 # @guest-ssh-remove-authorized-keys:
@@ -1434,4 +1434,4 @@
 ##
 { 'command': 'guest-ssh-remove-authorized-keys',
   'data': { 'username': 'str', 'keys': ['str'] },
-  'if': 'defined(CONFIG_POSIX)' }
+  'if': 'CONFIG_POSIX' }
diff --git a/scripts/qapi/common.py b/scripts/qapi/common.py
index 3fb2fbe7d4..1724ac32db 100644
--- a/scripts/qapi/common.py
+++ b/scripts/qapi/common.py
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ def cgen_ifcond(ifcond: Union[str, Dict[str, Any]]) -> str:
     if not ifcond:
         return ''
     if isinstance(ifcond, str):
-        return ifcond
+        return 'defined(' + ifcond + ')'
 
     oper, operands = next(iter(ifcond.items()))
     if oper == 'not':
diff --git a/scripts/qapi/expr.py b/scripts/qapi/expr.py
index 120b31089f..019f4c97aa 100644
--- a/scripts/qapi/expr.py
+++ b/scripts/qapi/expr.py
@@ -275,10 +275,10 @@ def check_if(expr: _JSONObject, info: QAPISourceInfo, source: str) -> None:
 
     def _check_if(cond: Union[str, object]) -> None:
         if isinstance(cond, str):
-            if not cond.strip():
+            if not re.match(r'^[A-Z][A-Z0-9_]*$', cond):
                 raise QAPISemError(
                     info,
-                    "'if' condition '%s' of %s makes no sense"
+                    "'if' condition '%s' of %s is not a valid identifier"
                     % (cond, source))
             return
 
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/alternate-branch-if-invalid.err b/tests/qapi-schema/alternate-branch-if-invalid.err
index d384929c51..03bad877a3 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/alternate-branch-if-invalid.err
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/alternate-branch-if-invalid.err
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 alternate-branch-if-invalid.json: In alternate 'Alt':
-alternate-branch-if-invalid.json:2: 'if' condition ' ' of 'data' member 'branch' makes no sense
+alternate-branch-if-invalid.json:2: 'if' condition ' ' of 'data' member 'branch' is not a valid identifier
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if-empty.err b/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if-empty.err
index a0f3effefb..5208f543ce 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if-empty.err
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if-empty.err
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 bad-if-empty.json: In struct 'TestIfStruct':
-bad-if-empty.json:2: 'if' condition '' of struct makes no sense
+bad-if-empty.json:2: 'if' condition '' of struct is not a valid identifier
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if-list.err b/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if-list.err
index c462f11b90..334e8b845a 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if-list.err
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if-list.err
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 bad-if-list.json: In struct 'TestIfStruct':
-bad-if-list.json:2: 'if' condition ' ' of struct makes no sense
+bad-if-list.json:2: 'if' condition 'foo' of struct is not a valid identifier
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if.json b/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if.json
index fdc0c87bb3..2639e3c661 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if.json
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/bad-if.json
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 # check invalid 'if' type
 { 'struct': 'TestIfStruct', 'data': { 'foo': 'int' },
-  'if': ['defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'] }
+  'if': ['TEST_IF_STRUCT'] }
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.json b/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.json
index 2a35c679a4..5e30790730 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.json
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.json
@@ -61,9 +61,9 @@
 # @two is undocumented
 ##
 { 'enum': 'Enum', 'data':
-  [ { 'name': 'one', 'if': 'defined(IFONE)' }, 'two' ],
+  [ { 'name': 'one', 'if': 'IFONE' }, 'two' ],
   'features': [ 'enum-feat' ],
-  'if': 'defined(IFCOND)' }
+  'if': 'IFCOND' }
 
 ##
 # @Base:
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
   'features': [ 'variant1-feat' ],
   'data': { 'var1': { 'type': 'str',
                       'features': [ 'member-feat' ],
-                      'if': 'defined(IFSTR)' } } }
+                      'if': 'IFSTR' } } }
 
 ##
 # @Variant2:
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.out b/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.out
index a8871e8f99..26d1fa5d28 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.out
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.out
@@ -12,16 +12,16 @@ enum QType
 module doc-good.json
 enum Enum
     member one
-        if defined(IFONE)
+        if IFONE
     member two
-    if defined(IFCOND)
+    if IFCOND
     feature enum-feat
 object Base
     member base1: Enum optional=False
     if OrderedDict([('all', ['IFALL1', 'IFALL2'])])
 object Variant1
     member var1: str optional=False
-        if defined(IFSTR)
+        if IFSTR
         feature member-feat
     feature variant1-feat
 object Variant2
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.txt b/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.txt
index 03c98c4182..5bfe06e14e 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.txt
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/doc-good.txt
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ Example:
 Values
 ~~~~~~
 
-"one" (**If: **"defined(IFONE)")
+"one" (**If: **"IFONE")
    The _one_ {and only}
 
 "two"
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ Features
 If
 ~~
 
-"defined(IFCOND)"
+"IFCOND"
 
 
 "Base" (Object)
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ Another paragraph (but no "var": line)
 Members
 ~~~~~~~
 
-"var1": "string" (**If: **"defined(IFSTR)")
+"var1": "string" (**If: **"IFSTR")
    Not documented
 
 
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/features-missing-name.json b/tests/qapi-schema/features-missing-name.json
index 2314f97c00..8772c8f7b3 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/features-missing-name.json
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/features-missing-name.json
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 { 'struct': 'FeatureStruct0',
   'data': { 'foo': 'int' },
-  'features': [ { 'if': 'defined(NAMELESS_FEATURES)' } ] }
+  'features': [ { 'if': 'NAMELESS_FEATURES' } ] }
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/qapi-schema-test.json b/tests/qapi-schema/qapi-schema-test.json
index a700f2531b..fe028145e4 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/qapi-schema-test.json
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/qapi-schema-test.json
@@ -222,45 +222,45 @@
 
 { 'struct': 'TestIfStruct', 'data':
   { 'foo': 'int',
-    'bar': { 'type': 'int', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT_BAR)'} },
-  'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)' }
+    'bar': { 'type': 'int', 'if': 'TEST_IF_STRUCT_BAR'} },
+  'if': 'TEST_IF_STRUCT' }
 
 { 'enum': 'TestIfEnum', 'data':
-  [ 'foo', { 'name' : 'bar', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_ENUM_BAR)' } ],
-  'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_ENUM)' }
+  [ 'foo', { 'name' : 'bar', 'if': 'TEST_IF_ENUM_BAR' } ],
+  'if': 'TEST_IF_ENUM' }
 
 { 'union': 'TestIfUnion', 'data':
   { 'foo': 'TestStruct',
-    'bar': { 'type': 'str', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_UNION_BAR)'} },
-  'if': { 'all': ['defined(TEST_IF_UNION)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'] } }
+    'bar': { 'type': 'str', 'if': 'TEST_IF_UNION_BAR'} },
+  'if': { 'all': ['TEST_IF_UNION', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'] } }
 
 { 'command': 'test-if-union-cmd',
   'data': { 'union-cmd-arg': 'TestIfUnion' },
-  'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_UNION)' }
+  'if': 'TEST_IF_UNION' }
 
 { 'alternate': 'TestIfAlternate', 'data':
   { 'foo': 'int',
-    'bar': { 'type': 'TestStruct', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_ALT_BAR)'} },
-  'if': { 'all': ['defined(TEST_IF_ALT)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'] } }
+    'bar': { 'type': 'TestStruct', 'if': 'TEST_IF_ALT_BAR'} },
+  'if': { 'all': ['TEST_IF_ALT', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'] } }
 
 { 'command': 'test-if-alternate-cmd',
   'data': { 'alt-cmd-arg': 'TestIfAlternate' },
-  'if': { 'all': ['defined(TEST_IF_ALT)',
-                  {'not': 'defined(TEST_IF_NOT_ALT)'}] } }
+  'if': { 'all': ['TEST_IF_ALT',
+                  {'not': 'TEST_IF_NOT_ALT'}] } }
 
 { 'command': 'test-if-cmd',
   'data': {
     'foo': 'TestIfStruct',
-    'bar': { 'type': 'TestIfEnum', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_CMD_BAR)' } },
+    'bar': { 'type': 'TestIfEnum', 'if': 'TEST_IF_CMD_BAR' } },
   'returns': 'UserDefThree',
-  'if': { 'all': ['defined(TEST_IF_CMD)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'] } }
+  'if': { 'all': ['TEST_IF_CMD', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'] } }
 
 { 'command': 'test-cmd-return-def-three', 'returns': 'UserDefThree' }
 
 { 'event': 'TEST_IF_EVENT', 'data':
   { 'foo': 'TestIfStruct',
-    'bar': { 'type': ['TestIfEnum'], 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_EVT_BAR)' } },
-  'if': { 'all': ['defined(TEST_IF_EVT)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'] } }
+    'bar': { 'type': ['TestIfEnum'], 'if': 'TEST_IF_EVT_BAR' } },
+  'if': { 'all': ['TEST_IF_EVT', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'] } }
 
 # test 'features'
 
@@ -282,21 +282,21 @@
 
 { 'struct': 'CondFeatureStruct1',
   'data': { 'foo': 'int' },
-  'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_1)'} ] }
+  'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1', 'if': 'TEST_IF_FEATURE_1'} ] }
 { 'struct': 'CondFeatureStruct2',
   'data': { 'foo': 'int' },
-  'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_1)'},
-                { 'name': 'feature2', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_2)'} ] }
+  'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1', 'if': 'TEST_IF_FEATURE_1'},
+                { 'name': 'feature2', 'if': 'TEST_IF_FEATURE_2'} ] }
 { 'struct': 'CondFeatureStruct3',
   'data': { 'foo': 'int' },
   'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1',
-                  'if': { 'all': [ 'defined(TEST_IF_COND_1)',
-                                   'defined(TEST_IF_COND_2)'] } } ] }
+                  'if': { 'all': [ 'TEST_IF_COND_1',
+                                   'TEST_IF_COND_2'] } } ] }
 { 'struct': 'CondFeatureStruct4',
   'data': { 'foo': 'int' },
   'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1',
-                  'if': {'any': ['defined(TEST_IF_COND_1)',
-                                 'defined(TEST_IF_COND_2)'] } } ] }
+                  'if': {'any': ['TEST_IF_COND_1',
+                                 'TEST_IF_COND_2'] } } ] }
 
 { 'enum': 'FeatureEnum1',
   'data': [ 'eins', 'zwei', 'drei' ],
@@ -331,14 +331,14 @@
   'features': [ 'feature1', 'feature2' ] }
 
 { 'command': 'test-command-cond-features1',
-  'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_1)'} ] }
+  'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1', 'if': 'TEST_IF_FEATURE_1'} ] }
 { 'command': 'test-command-cond-features2',
-  'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_1)'},
-                { 'name': 'feature2', 'if': 'defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_2)'} ] }
+  'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1', 'if': 'TEST_IF_FEATURE_1'},
+                { 'name': 'feature2', 'if': 'TEST_IF_FEATURE_2'} ] }
 { 'command': 'test-command-cond-features3',
   'features': [ { 'name': 'feature1',
-                  'if': { 'all': [ 'defined(TEST_IF_COND_1)',
-                                   'defined(TEST_IF_COND_2)'] } } ] }
+                  'if': { 'all': [ 'TEST_IF_COND_1',
+                                   'TEST_IF_COND_2'] } } ] }
 
 { 'event': 'TEST_EVENT_FEATURES0',
   'data': 'FeatureStruct1' }
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/qapi-schema-test.out b/tests/qapi-schema/qapi-schema-test.out
index 53e12f3534..3d0c6a8f28 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/qapi-schema-test.out
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/qapi-schema-test.out
@@ -298,65 +298,65 @@ command __org.qemu_x-command q_obj___org.qemu_x-command-arg -> __org.qemu_x-Unio
 object TestIfStruct
     member foo: int optional=False
     member bar: int optional=False
-        if defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT_BAR)
-    if defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)
+        if TEST_IF_STRUCT_BAR
+    if TEST_IF_STRUCT
 enum TestIfEnum
     member foo
     member bar
-        if defined(TEST_IF_ENUM_BAR)
-    if defined(TEST_IF_ENUM)
+        if TEST_IF_ENUM_BAR
+    if TEST_IF_ENUM
 object q_obj_TestStruct-wrapper
     member data: TestStruct optional=False
 enum TestIfUnionKind
     member foo
     member bar
-        if defined(TEST_IF_UNION_BAR)
-    if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_UNION)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'])])
+        if TEST_IF_UNION_BAR
+    if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_UNION', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'])])
 object TestIfUnion
     member type: TestIfUnionKind optional=False
     tag type
     case foo: q_obj_TestStruct-wrapper
     case bar: q_obj_str-wrapper
-        if defined(TEST_IF_UNION_BAR)
-    if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_UNION)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'])])
+        if TEST_IF_UNION_BAR
+    if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_UNION', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'])])
 object q_obj_test-if-union-cmd-arg
     member union-cmd-arg: TestIfUnion optional=False
-    if defined(TEST_IF_UNION)
+    if TEST_IF_UNION
 command test-if-union-cmd q_obj_test-if-union-cmd-arg -> None
     gen=True success_response=True boxed=False oob=False preconfig=False
-    if defined(TEST_IF_UNION)
+    if TEST_IF_UNION
 alternate TestIfAlternate
     tag type
     case foo: int
     case bar: TestStruct
-        if defined(TEST_IF_ALT_BAR)
-    if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_ALT)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'])])
+        if TEST_IF_ALT_BAR
+    if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_ALT', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'])])
 object q_obj_test-if-alternate-cmd-arg
     member alt-cmd-arg: TestIfAlternate optional=False
-    if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_ALT)', OrderedDict([('not', 'defined(TEST_IF_NOT_ALT)')])])])
+    if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_ALT', OrderedDict([('not', 'TEST_IF_NOT_ALT')])])])
 command test-if-alternate-cmd q_obj_test-if-alternate-cmd-arg -> None
     gen=True success_response=True boxed=False oob=False preconfig=False
-    if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_ALT)', OrderedDict([('not', 'defined(TEST_IF_NOT_ALT)')])])])
+    if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_ALT', OrderedDict([('not', 'TEST_IF_NOT_ALT')])])])
 object q_obj_test-if-cmd-arg
     member foo: TestIfStruct optional=False
     member bar: TestIfEnum optional=False
-        if defined(TEST_IF_CMD_BAR)
-    if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_CMD)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'])])
+        if TEST_IF_CMD_BAR
+    if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_CMD', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'])])
 command test-if-cmd q_obj_test-if-cmd-arg -> UserDefThree
     gen=True success_response=True boxed=False oob=False preconfig=False
-    if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_CMD)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'])])
+    if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_CMD', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'])])
 command test-cmd-return-def-three None -> UserDefThree
     gen=True success_response=True boxed=False oob=False preconfig=False
 array TestIfEnumList TestIfEnum
-    if defined(TEST_IF_ENUM)
+    if TEST_IF_ENUM
 object q_obj_TEST_IF_EVENT-arg
     member foo: TestIfStruct optional=False
     member bar: TestIfEnumList optional=False
-        if defined(TEST_IF_EVT_BAR)
-    if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_EVT)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'])])
+        if TEST_IF_EVT_BAR
+    if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_EVT', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'])])
 event TEST_IF_EVENT q_obj_TEST_IF_EVENT-arg
     boxed=False
-    if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_EVT)', 'defined(TEST_IF_STRUCT)'])])
+    if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_EVT', 'TEST_IF_STRUCT'])])
 object FeatureStruct0
     member foo: int optional=False
 object FeatureStruct1
@@ -379,21 +379,21 @@ object FeatureStruct4
 object CondFeatureStruct1
     member foo: int optional=False
     feature feature1
-        if defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_1)
+        if TEST_IF_FEATURE_1
 object CondFeatureStruct2
     member foo: int optional=False
     feature feature1
-        if defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_1)
+        if TEST_IF_FEATURE_1
     feature feature2
-        if defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_2)
+        if TEST_IF_FEATURE_2
 object CondFeatureStruct3
     member foo: int optional=False
     feature feature1
-        if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_COND_1)', 'defined(TEST_IF_COND_2)'])])
+        if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_COND_1', 'TEST_IF_COND_2'])])
 object CondFeatureStruct4
     member foo: int optional=False
     feature feature1
-        if OrderedDict([('any', ['defined(TEST_IF_COND_1)', 'defined(TEST_IF_COND_2)'])])
+        if OrderedDict([('any', ['TEST_IF_COND_1', 'TEST_IF_COND_2'])])
 enum FeatureEnum1
     member eins
     member zwei
@@ -434,17 +434,17 @@ command test-command-features3 None -> None
 command test-command-cond-features1 None -> None
     gen=True success_response=True boxed=False oob=False preconfig=False
     feature feature1
-        if defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_1)
+        if TEST_IF_FEATURE_1
 command test-command-cond-features2 None -> None
     gen=True success_response=True boxed=False oob=False preconfig=False
     feature feature1
-        if defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_1)
+        if TEST_IF_FEATURE_1
     feature feature2
-        if defined(TEST_IF_FEATURE_2)
+        if TEST_IF_FEATURE_2
 command test-command-cond-features3 None -> None
     gen=True success_response=True boxed=False oob=False preconfig=False
     feature feature1
-        if OrderedDict([('all', ['defined(TEST_IF_COND_1)', 'defined(TEST_IF_COND_2)'])])
+        if OrderedDict([('all', ['TEST_IF_COND_1', 'TEST_IF_COND_2'])])
 event TEST_EVENT_FEATURES0 FeatureStruct1
     boxed=False
 event TEST_EVENT_FEATURES1 None
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/redefined-event.json b/tests/qapi-schema/redefined-event.json
index 09eff18412..7901930e3d 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/redefined-event.json
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/redefined-event.json
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 # we reject duplicate events
 { 'event': 'EVENT_A', 'data': { 'myint': 'int' } }
-{ 'event': 'EVENT_A', 'data': { 'myint': 'int' }, 'if': 'defined(FOO)' }
+{ 'event': 'EVENT_A', 'data': { 'myint': 'int' }, 'if': 'FOO' }
diff --git a/tests/qapi-schema/union-branch-if-invalid.err b/tests/qapi-schema/union-branch-if-invalid.err
index dd4518233e..046187a5b9 100644
--- a/tests/qapi-schema/union-branch-if-invalid.err
+++ b/tests/qapi-schema/union-branch-if-invalid.err
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 union-branch-if-invalid.json: In union 'Uni':
-union-branch-if-invalid.json:4: 'if' condition '' of 'data' member 'branch1' makes no sense
+union-branch-if-invalid.json:4: 'if' condition '' of 'data' member 'branch1' is not a valid identifier