diff --git a/mesonbuild/options.py b/mesonbuild/options.py
index 1cee977cbc4f..30295da1f2b3 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/options.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/options.py
@@ -941,7 +941,7 @@ def sanitize_dir_option_value(self, prefix: str, option: OptionKey, value: T.Any
         # .as_posix() keeps the posix-like file separators Meson uses.
         return value.as_posix()
 
-    def _set_dependents(self, key: OptionKey, value: str) -> None:
+    def _set_buildtype_dependents(self, key: OptionKey, value: str) -> None:
         opt, debug = self.DEFAULT_DEPENDENTS[value]
         dkey = key.evolve(name='debug')
         optkey = key.evolve(name='optimization')
@@ -997,7 +997,7 @@ def replace(v: T.Any) -> T.Any:
 
         if changed and key.name == 'buildtype':
             assert isinstance(new_value, str), 'for mypy'
-            self._set_dependents(key, new_value)
+            self._set_buildtype_dependents(key, new_value)
 
         return changed