diff --git a/bootstrap b/bootstrap
index e1a093b..10cae85 100755
--- a/bootstrap
+++ b/bootstrap
@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@ export CYGWIN
 
 # Check for automake
 amvers="no"
-if automake-1.7 --version >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+if automake-1.8 --version >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  amvers="-1.8"
+elif automake-1.7 --version >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   amvers="-1.7"
 elif automake-1.6 --version >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   amvers="-1.6"