diff --git a/libtdb.spec b/libtdb.spec
index eef30c1..d36426d 100644
--- a/libtdb.spec
+++ b/libtdb.spec
@@ -80,6 +80,9 @@ Python3 bindings for libtdb
 %autosetup -n tdb-%{version} -p1
 
 %build
+# workaround for hardcoded PATH to waf
+sed -e 's:\.\./\.\./buildtools:./buildtools:' -i Makefile
+
 %{?export_waf_python}
 %configure --disable-rpath \
            --bundled-libraries=NONE \