Ive been working on the simple macro below. The probem is that AC_PATH_PROG(_MATLAB, matlab$EXEEXT, none) launches Matlab! Configuration is blocked until Matlab is killed. This isnt right is it? AC_PATH_PROG shouldnt be launching an executable in the process of finding it. If not, what have I done wrong? If so, whats the solution that avoids the launch. dnl Sets MATLAB to Matlab top directory dnl dnl May be overridden by defining MATLAB at the configure level. dnl Note: Only WARNS if Matlab is not located. dnl dnl This file is in the PUBLIC DOMAIN dnl AC_DEFUN([AC_PATH_MATLAB],[ if test "x$MATLAB" = x; then AC_PATH_PROG(_MATLAB, matlab$EXEEXT, none) if test "x$_MATLAB" = xnone; then AC_MSG_WARN([Matlab not found in $PATH]) else MATLAB="$_MATLAB/../.." fi;dnl fi;dnl ]) Thanks.