diff --git a/qapi/meson.build b/qapi/meson.build
index 7aca8d5048..0652569bc4 100644
--- a/qapi/meson.build
+++ b/qapi/meson.build
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ qapi_all_modules = [
   'sockets',
   'trace',
   'transaction',
-  'ui',
   'yank',
 ]
 if have_system
@@ -57,6 +56,11 @@ if have_system
     'tpm',
   ]
 endif
+if have_system or have_tools
+  qapi_all_modules += [
+    'ui',
+  ]
+endif
 
 qapi_storage_daemon_modules = [
   'block-core',