diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 554e67e5dd..5e653b8b6f 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ if cc.compiles('''
         add_project_arguments('-Werror=shadow', language : 'c')
 endif
 
-cpp = ' '.join(cc.cmd_array()) + ' -E'
+cpp = ' '.join(cc.cmd_array() + get_option('c_args')) + ' -E'
 
 #####################################################################
 # compilation result tests