diff --git a/cmake/FindLibIntl.cmake b/cmake/FindLibIntl.cmake
index cde5da8..5b7bfc3 100644
--- a/cmake/FindLibIntl.cmake
+++ b/cmake/FindLibIntl.cmake
@@ -1,58 +1,64 @@
 #.rst:
 # FindLibIntl
 # ---------
 #
 # Find libintl
 #
 # Find the libintl headers and libraries. On platforms that use glibc this is not required
 # and LibIntl_LIBRARIES will be empty
 #
 # ::
 #
 #   LibIntl_INCLUDE_DIRS - where to find libintl.h
 #   LibIntl_LIBRARIES    - The libintl library if the current platform does not use glibc.
 #   LibIntl_FOUND        - True if libintl was found.
 
 #=============================================================================
 # Copyright 2014 Alex Richardson <arichardson.kde@gmail.com>
 #
 # Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
 # modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
 # are met:
 # 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
 #    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 # 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
 #    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
 #    documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
 # 3. Neither the name of the University nor the names of its contributors
 #    may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
 #    without specific prior written permission.
 #
 # THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE REGENTS AND CONTRIBUTORS ``AS IS'' AND
 # ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
 # IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
 # ARE DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
 # FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
 # DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS
 # OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
 # HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
 # LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY
 # OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
 # SUCH DAMAGE.
 #=============================================================================
 
 find_path(LibIntl_INCLUDE_DIRS NAMES libintl.h)
 find_library(LibIntl_LIBRARIES NAMES intl libintl)
 
 include(CheckCXXSymbolExists)
 check_cxx_symbol_exists(dngettext libintl.h LibIntl_SYMBOL_FOUND)
 
 include(FindPackageHandleStandardArgs)
 if(LibIntl_SYMBOL_FOUND)
     message(STATUS "libintl is part of libc, no extra library is required.")
     set(LibIntl_LIBRARIES "")
-    find_package_handle_standard_args(LibIntl REQUIRED_VARS LibIntl_INCLUDE_DIRS)
+    if(LibIntl_INCLUDE_DIRS)
+        find_package_handle_standard_args(LibIntl REQUIRED_VARS LibIntl_INCLUDE_DIRS)
+    else()
+        # in the default search path but not found by find_path, e.g. host glibc when cross-compiling
+        set(LibIntl_INCLUDE_DIRS "")
+        set(LibIntl_FOUND TRUE)
+    endif()
 else()
     message(STATUS "libintl is a separate library.")
     find_package_handle_standard_args(LibIntl REQUIRED_VARS LibIntl_INCLUDE_DIRS LibIntl_LIBRARIES)
 endif()