diff --git a/m4macros/gtk-3.0.m4 b/m4macros/gtk-3.0.m4
index b24258654f..7d00bc1f6c 100644
--- a/m4macros/gtk-3.0.m4
+++ b/m4macros/gtk-3.0.m4
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ AC_ARG_ENABLE(gtktest, [  --disable-gtktest       do not try to compile and run
   AC_PATH_PROG(PKG_CONFIG, pkg-config, no)
 
   if test x$PKG_CONFIG != xno ; then
-    if pkg-config --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.7 ; then
+    if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.7 ; then
       :
     else
       echo "*** pkg-config too old; version 0.7 or better required."