diff --git a/common/Makefile.dist b/common/Makefile.dist
index 1411d3ef..031d2488 100644
--- a/common/Makefile.dist
+++ b/common/Makefile.dist
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ all:	libdhcp.a $(CATMANPAGES)
 libdhcp.a:	$(OBJ)
 	rm -f libdhcp.a
 	ar cruv libdhcp.a $(OBJ)
-	ranlib libdhcp.a
+	$(RANLIB) libdhcp.a
 
 install: all
 	for dir in $(FFMANDIR); do \