diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 116f06f..7cb1141 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -1349,7 +1349,8 @@
         panel_library = 'panel'
         if curses_library == 'ncursesw':
             curses_defines.append(('HAVE_NCURSESW', '1'))
-            curses_includes.append('/usr/include/ncursesw')
+            if not cross_compiling:
+                curses_includes.append('/usr/include/ncursesw')
             # Bug 1464056: If _curses.so links with ncursesw,
             # _curses_panel.so must link with panelw.
             panel_library = 'panelw'