diff --git c/src/meson.build i/src/meson.build
index a92e46fe2..3514ae85b 100644
--- c/src/meson.build
+++ i/src/meson.build
@@ -1238,7 +1238,7 @@ if get_option('tests').enabled()
   env.set('HBHEADERS', ' '.join(HBHEADERS))
 
   if cpp.get_argument_syntax() != 'msvc' and not meson.is_cross_build() # ensure the local tools are usable
-    dist_check_script += ['check-static-inits', 'check-symbols']
+    dist_check_script += ['check-static-inits']
     if get_option('wasm').disabled() and not get_option('with_libstdcxx')
       dist_check_script += ['check-libstdc++']
     endif