--- a/acx_nlnetlabs.m4
+++ b/acx_nlnetlabs.m4
@@ -535,7 +535,7 @@ AC_CANONICAL_HOST
 if echo "$host_os" | grep "sunos4" >/dev/null; then
 	lt_cv_sys_max_cmd_len=32750;
 fi
-AC_PATH_TOOL(AR, ar, [false])
+AC_CHECK_TOOL(AR, ar, [false])
 if test $AR = false; then
 	AC_MSG_ERROR([Cannot find 'ar', please extend PATH to include it])
 fi
