diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 0f9fb016..4b5ab662 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -423,7 +423,10 @@ if test "$build_python" = "yes" -a "$build_mixer_pymodules" = "yes"; then
   pythonlibs0=
   pythoninc0=
   if test "$build_python2" != "yes"; then
-    pythonlibs0=$(python3-config --libs)
+    pythonlibs0=$(python3-config --libs --embed 2> /dev/null)
+    if test -z "$pythonlibs0"; then
+      pythonlibs0=$(python3-config --libs)
+    fi
     pythoninc0=$(python3-config --includes)
   fi
   if test -z "$pythonlibs0"; then