diff --git a/config-daemon.ac b/config-daemon.ac
index 6cf65bef1d..04f0fde3b2 100644
--- a/config-daemon.ac
+++ b/config-daemon.ac
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ if test "x$guix_build_daemon" = "xyes"; then
   esac
 
   case "$LIBGCRYPT_LIBDIR" in
-    no)
+    no | "")
       LIBGCRYPT_LIBS="-lgcrypt"
       ;;
     *)