diff --git a/libvips/Makefile.am b/libvips/Makefile.am
index e3d5b754..9f3f91fd 100644
--- a/libvips/Makefile.am
+++ b/libvips/Makefile.am
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ EXTRA_DIST = \
 CLEANFILES = 
 
 all-local:
-	while [ ! -f libvips.la ]; do sleep 1; done; \ 
+	while [ ! -f libvips.la ]; do sleep 1; done; sleep 1; \ 
 	echo '/* This file is autogenerated, do not edit. */' > soname.h && \
 	source libvips.la && \
 	echo "#define VIPS_SONAME \"$$dlname\"" >> soname.h && \