diff --git a/recipes/apr/all/conanfile.py b/recipes/apr/all/conanfile.py
index 9ca885e105eb6..932bac9dcf2ea 100644
--- a/recipes/apr/all/conanfile.py
+++ b/recipes/apr/all/conanfile.py
@@ -67,9 +67,9 @@ def layout(self):
         else:
             basic_layout(self, src_folder="src")
 
-    def validate(self):
-        if hasattr(self, "settings_build") and cross_building(self):
-            raise ConanInvalidConfiguration("apr recipe doesn't support cross-build yet due to runtime checks")
+    def validate_build(self):
+        if cross_building(self) and not is_msvc(self):
+            raise ConanInvalidConfiguration("apr recipe doesn't support cross-build yet due to runtime checks in autoconf")
 
     def build_requirements(self):
         if not is_msvc(self):