diff --git a/scripts/Makefile.am b/scripts/Makefile.am
index bdc1f3b9e3..9da86d75b8 100644
--- a/scripts/Makefile.am
+++ b/scripts/Makefile.am
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ check:
 	@echo -n " ZTEST "
 	@echo    "===================================="
 	@echo
-	@ulimit -c unlimited
+	@$(shell ulimit -c unlimited)
 	@$(ZTEST) -V
 	@echo
 	@echo -n "===================================="