diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 79786dbc..ceeb91c6 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ if test "x$enable_documentation" = "xyes"; then
 	AC_PATH_PROG(PUBLICAN, publican)
 
 	if test "x$PUBLICAN" != "x"; then
-		PUBLICAN_VERSION=[`$PUBLICAN -v | sed -e 's/version=\([0-9]*\.[0-9]*\).*/\1/'`]
+		PUBLICAN_VERSION=[`$PUBLICAN -v | sed -e 's/version=v\?\([0-9]*\.[0-9]*\).*/\1/'`]
 
 		if test [ 1 -eq `echo "${PUBLICAN_VERSION} < 2.8" | bc` ]; then
 			AC_MSG_ERROR([Publican version is not supported. Install publican >= 2.8 or disable the documentation using --disable-documentation])