diff --git a/mesonbuild/modules/__init__.py b/mesonbuild/modules/__init__.py
index a1aa2334495a..bbfb5bdbd40f 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/modules/__init__.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/modules/__init__.py
@@ -112,7 +112,12 @@ def find_tool(self, name: str, depname: str, varname: str, required: bool = True
         if dep.found() and dep.type_name == 'pkgconfig':
             value = dep.get_variable(pkgconfig=varname)
             if value:
-                return ExternalProgram(value)
+                progobj = ExternalProgram(value)
+                if not progobj.found():
+                    msg = (f'Dependency {depname!r} tool variable {varname!r} contains erroneous value: {value!r}\n\n'
+                           'This is a distributor issue -- please report it to your {depname} provider.')
+                    raise mesonlib.MesonException(msg)
+                return progobj
 
         # Normal program lookup
         return self.find_program(name, required=required, wanted=wanted)