diff --git a/buildconf b/buildconf
index dbe9524e53..16570f373c 100755
--- a/buildconf
+++ b/buildconf
@@ -85,8 +85,7 @@ fi
 
 echo "buildconf: automake version $am_version (ok)"
 
-ac=`findtool aclocal`
-
+ac=`findtool ${ACLOCAL:-aclocal}`
 if test -z "$ac"; then
   echo "buildconf: aclocal not found. Weird automake installation!"
   exit 1