diff --git a/conans/test/integration/toolchains/test_meson.py b/conans/test/integration/toolchains/test_meson.py
index 5a9b027a132..623401b8a6c 100644
--- a/conans/test/integration/toolchains/test_meson.py
+++ b/conans/test/integration/toolchains/test_meson.py
@@ -25,9 +25,16 @@ def get_meson_version():
 
 @pytest.mark.toolchain
 @pytest.mark.tool_meson
-@unittest.skipUnless(which("meson") and get_meson_version() >= Version("0.56.0"),
-                     "requires meson >= 0.56.0")
+@unittest.skipUnless(get_meson_version() >= Version("0.56.0"), "requires meson >= 0.56.0")
 class MesonToolchainTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        if get_meson_version() < Version("0.56.0"):
+            raise unittest.SkipTest("requires meson >= 0.56.0")
+
+        self.t = TestClient()
+
+        self.assertEqual(get_meson_version(), "0.56.0")
+
     _conanfile_py = textwrap.dedent("""
     from conans import ConanFile, MesonToolchain, tools