diff --git a/xsane.spec b/xsane.spec
index d00868b..ed8b576 100644
--- a/xsane.spec
+++ b/xsane.spec
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # if you rebuild, please change bugtracker_url accordingly:
 %global bugtracker_url http://bugzilla.redhat.com
 
-%global gimpplugindir %(gimptool --gimpplugindir)/plug-ins
+%global gimpplugindir %(gimptool --gimpplugindir 2>/dev/null || echo INVALID)/plug-ins
 %global iconrootdir %{_datadir}/icons/hicolor
 
 # work around old %%configure macro
@@ -220,6 +220,7 @@ fi
 * Wed Jan 30 2013 Nils Philippsen <nils@redhat.com>
 - build with -fno-strict-aliasing
 - tidy up desktop file
+- catch errors when determining the %%gimpplugindir macro
 
 * Mon Jan 21 2013 Adam Tkac <atkac redhat com> - 0.998-14
 - rebuild due to "jpeg8-ABI" feature drop