diff --git a/python/mozbuild/mozbuild/frontend/reader.py b/python/mozbuild/mozbuild/frontend/reader.py
index b0bff988d759..c721f366125e 100644
--- a/python/mozbuild/mozbuild/frontend/reader.py
+++ b/python/mozbuild/mozbuild/frontend/reader.py
@@ -977,7 +977,7 @@ class BuildReader(object):
         curdir = mozpath.dirname(path)
 
         gyp_contexts = []
-        for target_dir in context['GYP_DIRS']:
+        for target_dir in context.get('GYP_DIRS', []):
             gyp_dir = context['GYP_DIRS'][target_dir]
             for v in ('input', 'variables'):
                 if not getattr(gyp_dir, v):