diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 47c68369..eaafcaac 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ update-package-copyright-year:
 gen_start_date = 2012-01-16
 .PHONY: gen-ChangeLog
 gen-ChangeLog:
-	$(AM_V_GEN)if test -d .git; then				\
+	$(AM_V_GEN)if test -d $(srcdir)/.git; then			\
 	  $(top_srcdir)/build-aux/gitlog-to-changelog			\
 	    --no-cluster						\
 	    --amend=$(srcdir)/build-aux/git-log-fix			\