diff --git a/config/spl-build.m4 b/config/spl-build.m4
index daa9eb7148..b9c04a95e0 100644
--- a/config/spl-build.m4
+++ b/config/spl-build.m4
@@ -673,16 +673,19 @@ AC_DEFUN([SPL_AC_TEST_MODULE],
 		fi
 	])
 
-	AC_RUN_IFELSE([
-		AC_LANG_PROGRAM([
-			#include "$LINUX/include/linux/license.h"
+	AS_IF([test "x$cross_compiling" != xyes], [
+		AC_RUN_IFELSE([
+			AC_LANG_PROGRAM([
+				#include "$LINUX/include/linux/license.h"
+			], [
+				return !license_is_gpl_compatible(
+				    "$SPL_META_LICENSE");
+			])
+		], [
+			AC_DEFINE([SPL_IS_GPL_COMPATIBLE], [1],
+			    [Define to 1 if GPL-only symbols can be used])
 		], [
-			return !license_is_gpl_compatible("$SPL_META_LICENSE");
 		])
-	], [
-		AC_DEFINE([SPL_IS_GPL_COMPATIBLE], [1],
-		    [Define to 1 if GPL-only symbols can be used])
-	], [
 	])
 ])