diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index b104bb17cc..511802305f 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -1944,11 +1944,7 @@ have_gtk_clipboard = get_option('gtk_clipboard').enabled()
 # future, this may be relaxed in the future with alternative options.
 require_gtk = host_os == 'linux'
 
-if require_gtk or get_option('gtk') \
-             .disable_auto_if(not have_system) \
-             .require(pixman.found(),
-                      error_message: 'cannot enable GTK if pixman is not available') \
-             .allowed()
+if require_gtk
   gtk = dependency('gtk+-3.0', version: '>=3.22.0',
                    method: 'pkg-config',
                    required: require_gtk or get_option('gtk'))