--- a/Programs/Makefile.in
+++ b/Programs/Makefile.in
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@
 	[ ! -f lib.def ] || mv lib.def $(API_DEF)
 
 $(API_ARC): $(API_CLIENT_OBJECTS)
-	ar rc $@ $(API_CLIENT_OBJECTS)
+	$(AR) rc $@ $(API_CLIENT_OBJECTS)
 	$(RANLIB) $@
 
 brlapi_client.$O: