diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index d2e2064377..38a41ab769 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ all=git-annex $(mans) docs
 GHC?=ghc
 GHCMAKE=$(GHC) $(GHCFLAGS) --make
 PREFIX=/usr
-CABAL?=runhaskell Setup.hs
+CABAL?=cabal # set to "runghc Setup.hs" if you lack a cabal program
 
 # Am I typing :make in vim? Do a fast build.
 ifdef VIM