diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index cbeb711c3..c6c8b856d 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ install-exec-hook:
 	install -d $(prefix)/include/spqr_mini && \
 	cp -f spqr_mini/*.h   $(prefix)/include/spqr_mini/ && \
 	cp -f spqr_mini/*.hpp $(prefix)/include/spqr_mini/ && \
-	cp -f spqr_mini/libspqr_mini.a $(prefix)/lib/
+	[ -f spqr_mini/libspqr_mini.a ] &&  cp -f spqr_mini/libspqr_mini.a $(prefix)/lib/
 
 dist-hook:
 	mkdir $(distdir)/CppUnitLite