diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index de00fddb2d..d016482db1 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 project('qemu', ['c'], meson_version: '>=1.5.0',
         default_options: ['warning_level=1', 'c_std=gnu11', 'cpp_std=gnu++23', 'b_colorout=auto',
-                          'b_staticpic=false', 'stdsplit=false', 'optimization=2', 'b_pie=true',
-                          'rust_std=2021', 'build.rust_std=2021'],
+                          'b_staticpic=false', 'stdsplit=false', 'optimization=2', 'b_pie=true'] +
+
+                          # build.rust_std breaks with older meson, but Rust does not
+                          # support old meson anyway
+                          (meson.version().version_compare('>= 1.9') ? ['rust_std=2021', 'build.rust_std=2021'] : []),
+
         version: files('VERSION'))
 
 add_test_setup('quick', exclude_suites: ['slow', 'thorough'], is_default: true,