diff --git a/pycheribuild/projects/simple_project.py b/pycheribuild/projects/simple_project.py
index bf01654b4..df7f86cc3 100644
--- a/pycheribuild/projects/simple_project.py
+++ b/pycheribuild/projects/simple_project.py
@@ -821,7 +821,7 @@ def check_required_pkg_config(self, package: str, instructions: InstallInstructi
             return  # already checked
         self._validate_cheribuild_target_for_system_deps(instructions.cheribuild_target)
         try:
-            self.run_cmd(["pkg-config", "--exists", package])
+            self.run_cmd(["pkg-config", "--modversion", package], capture_output=True)
         except subprocess.CalledProcessError as e:
             self.dependency_error("Required library", package, "is missing:", e, install_instructions=instructions,
                                   cheribuild_target=instructions.cheribuild_target,