diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 31cd1281..0c1460ef 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ dnl gradle checks.
 dnl ================================================================
 
 AC_MSG_CHECKING([for gradle])
-if test -e ${GRADLE} ; then
+if command -v "$GRADLE" >/dev/null; then
     AC_MSG_RESULT([${GRADLE}])
     AM_CONDITIONAL(HAVE_GRADLE, [test 1 = 1])
 else