diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 5086031..74c6393 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -5,10 +5,12 @@ py = import('python').find_installation(pure: false)
 npy_include_path = run_command(py, ['-c', 'import os; import numpy; print(os.path.abspath(numpy.get_include()))'],
                          ).stdout().strip()
 
+npy_include = include_directories(npy_include_path)
+
 py.extension_module(
     'fast_histogram._histogram_core',
     'fast_histogram/_histogram_core.c',
     limited_api: '3.9',
-    include_directories: [npy_include_path],
+    include_directories: [npy_include],
     install: true,
 )