diff --git a/configure.in b/configure.in
index da2ab8db61e..56e3faeb3a2 100644
--- a/configure.in
+++ b/configure.in
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ then
         fi
 	case $ac_sys_system in
 	AIX*)
-	   LINKCC="\$(srcdir)/Modules/makexp_aix Modules/python.exp \"\" \$(LIBRARY); $(LINKCC)";;
+	   LINKCC="\$(srcdir)/Modules/makexp_aix Modules/python.exp \"\" \$(LIBRARY); $LINKCC";;
 	dgux*)
 	   LINKCC="LD_RUN_PATH=$libdir $(LINKCC)";;
 	Monterey64*)