diff --git a/mesonbuild/compilers/detect.py b/mesonbuild/compilers/detect.py
index 15aaef898393..6720d0c20450 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/compilers/detect.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/compilers/detect.py
@@ -1049,7 +1049,10 @@ def detect_cython_compiler(env: 'Environment', for_machine: MachineChoice) -> Co
 
 def detect_vala_compiler(env: 'Environment', for_machine: MachineChoice) -> Compiler:
     from .vala import ValaCompiler
-    exelist = env.lookup_binary_entry(MachineChoice.BUILD, 'vala')
+    exelist = env.lookup_binary_entry(for_machine, 'vala')
+    if exelist is None and for_machine != MachineChoice.BUILD:
+        # This is wrong, but backwards-compatible.
+        exelist = env.lookup_binary_entry(MachineChoice.BUILD, 'vala')
     if exelist is None:
         # TODO support fallback
         exelist = [defaults['vala'][0]]