diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index e41eed3784..1f89ff2e02 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ AG_GST_CHECK_GST_CONTROLLER($GST_MAJORMINOR, [$GST_REQ], yes)
 AG_GST_CHECK_GST_CHECK($GST_MAJORMINOR, [$GST_REQ], no)
 AG_GST_CHECK_GST_PLUGINS_BASE($GST_MAJORMINOR, [$GSTPB_REQ], yes)
 
-GST_TOOLS_DIR=`pkg-config --variable=toolsdir gstreamer-$GST_MAJORMINOR`
+GST_TOOLS_DIR=`$PKG_CONFIG --variable=toolsdir gstreamer-$GST_MAJORMINOR`
 if test -z $GST_TOOLS_DIR; then
   AC_MSG_ERROR([no tools dir defined in GStreamer pkg-config file; core upgrade needed.])
 fi