diff --git a/autogen/configure b/autogen/configure
index 6e8ddc505fe..5a70efc967f 100755
--- a/autogen/configure
+++ b/autogen/configure
@@ -14939,9 +14939,7 @@ $as_echo "$emacs_cv_freebsd_terminfo" >&6; }
     ;;
 
   netbsd)
-    if test $ac_cv_search_tputs = -lterminfo; then
-      LIBS_TERMCAP="-lterminfo"
-    else
+    if  "x$LIBS_TERMCAP" != "x-lterminfo" ; then
       TERMINFO=no
       LIBS_TERMCAP="-ltermcap"
     fi