diff --git a/gio/tests/meson.build b/gio/tests/meson.build
index dca33bd44..47a95b7b3 100644
--- a/gio/tests/meson.build
+++ b/gio/tests/meson.build
@@ -406,7 +406,8 @@ if installed_tests_enabled
   install_subdir('cert-tests', install_dir : installed_tests_execdir)
 endif
 
-if not meson.is_cross_build() or meson.has_exe_wrapper()
+windows_static = host_system == 'windows' and get_option('default_library') == 'static'
+if (not meson.is_cross_build() or meson.has_exe_wrapper()) and not windows_static
 
   plugin_resources_c = custom_target('plugin-resources.c',
     input : 'test4.gresource.xml',