diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 75467251..c80e9fbf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -86,8 +86,8 @@ of the libvips optional dependencies.
 
 ```
 cd libvips-x.y.x
-meson setup build-dir --prefix=/aaa/bbb/ccc
-cd build-dir
+meson build --prefix=/aaa/bbb/ccc
+cd build
 meson compile
 meson test
 meson install