diff --git a/meson_post_install.py b/meson_post_install.py
index ba0063fe..9d269d42 100644
--- a/meson_post_install.py
+++ b/meson_post_install.py
@@ -3,16 +3,24 @@
 import os
 import sys
 import subprocess
+import shutil
 
 prefix = os.environ.get('MESON_INSTALL_PREFIX', '/usr/local')
 datadir = os.path.join(prefix, 'share')
 
 # Packaging tools define DESTDIR and this isn't needed for them
 if 'DESTDIR' not in os.environ:
+    def run_if_available(command, *args):
+        if shutil.which(command) is None:
+            print(f'Skipping {command}: command not found')
+            return
+
+        subprocess.call([command, *args])
+
     print('Updating icon cache...')
-    subprocess.call(['gtk-update-icon-cache', '-qtf',
-                     os.path.join(datadir, 'icons', 'hicolor')])
+    run_if_available('gtk-update-icon-cache', '-qtf',
+                     os.path.join(datadir, 'icons', 'hicolor'))
 
     print('Updating desktop database...')
-    subprocess.call(['update-desktop-database', '-q',
-                     os.path.join(datadir, 'applications')])
+    run_if_available('update-desktop-database', '-q',
+                     os.path.join(datadir, 'applications'))