diff --git a/configure.pri b/configure.pri
index 02bce88d960..0e6bb6a6f57 100644
--- a/configure.pri
+++ b/configure.pri
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ defineTest(qtConfCommandline_sanitize) {
 # callbacks
 
 defineReplace(qtConfFunc_crossCompile) {
+    !isEmpty(config.input.sysroot): return(true)
     spec = $$[QMAKE_SPEC]
     !equals(spec, $$[QMAKE_XSPEC]): return(true)
     return(false)