diff --git a/stubs/meson.build b/stubs/meson.build
index 772a3e8..e91614a 100644
--- a/stubs/meson.build
+++ b/stubs/meson.build
@@ -55,7 +55,12 @@
 if have_user
   # Symbols that are used by hw/core.
   stub_ss.add(files('cpu-synchronize-state.c'))
-  stub_ss.add(files('qdev.c'))
+
+  # Stubs for QAPI events.  Those can always be included in the build, but
+  # they are not built at all for --disable-system --disable-tools builds.
+  if not (have_system or have_tools)
+    stub_ss.add(files('qdev.c'))
+  endif
 endif
 
 if have_system