diff --git a/m4/ctng_python.m4 b/m4/ctng_python.m4
index 7f0c9473..a223b2be 100644
--- a/m4/ctng_python.m4
+++ b/m4/ctng_python.m4
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ AC_DEFUN([CTNG_PYTHON],
   for python in python3.12 python3.11 python3.10 python3.9 python3.8 python3.7 dnl
 python3.6 python3.5 python3.4 python3.3 python3.2 python3.1 python3.0 python2.7 dnl
 python2.6 python2.5 python2.4 python2.3 python2.2 python2.1 python; do
-    AC_CHECK_PROGS(PYTHON_BIN, [$python])
+    AC_PATH_PROGS(PYTHON_BIN, [$python])
     ctng_python_bin=$PYTHON_BIN
     if test "$ctng_python_bin" != ""; then
       AC_CHECK_LIB($ctng_python_bin, main, ctng_python_lib=$ctng_python_bin, ctng_python_lib=no)