diff --git a/ext/lame/Makefile.am b/ext/lame/Makefile.am
index b9215a7759..f23d1d3f2f 100644
--- a/ext/lame/Makefile.am
+++ b/ext/lame/Makefile.am
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ libgstlame_la_LDFLAGS = $(GST_PLUGIN_LDFLAGS)
 
 noinst_HEADERS = gstlame.h
 
-CFLAGS = $(GST_CFLAGS)
+AM_CFLAGS = $(GST_CFLAGS)
 LIBS = $(GST_LIBS) $(LAME_LIBS)
 
 ## testprogs = test-lame