diff --git a/TOOLS/macos-sdk-version.py b/TOOLS/macos-sdk-version.py
index 55e8975b77..c788253182 100755
--- a/TOOLS/macos-sdk-version.py
+++ b/TOOLS/macos-sdk-version.py
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ def find_macos_sdk():
 
         # use xcode tools when installed, still necessary for xcode versions <12.0
         try:
+            if not xcodebuild:
+                raise ValueError
             sdk_version = check_output(
                 [xcodebuild, "-sdk", "macosx", "-version", "ProductVersion"],
                 encoding="UTF-8",