diff --git a/tools/mapserver_export/Makefile.am b/tools/mapserver_export/Makefile.am
index 5f8fffcf2db..5a2f3c702ea 100644
--- a/tools/mapserver_export/Makefile.am
+++ b/tools/mapserver_export/Makefile.am
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ bin_PROGRAMS = msexport
 	$(MOC) -o $@ $<
 
 ui_%.h: %.ui
-	uic -o $@ $<
+	$(UIC) -o $@ $<
 
 #uic $< -o $@