diff --git a/gnu/packages/emacs.scm b/gnu/packages/emacs.scm
index b298f393b8..7682860be5 100644
--- a/gnu/packages/emacs.scm
+++ b/gnu/packages/emacs.scm
@@ -1562,7 +1562,7 @@ (define-public emacs-pdf-tools
            (lambda _ (chdir "server") #t))
          (add-after 'enter-server-dir 'autogen
            (lambda _
-             (zero? (system* "bash" "autogen.sh"))))
+             (invoke "bash" "autogen.sh")))
 
          ;; Build emacs side using 'emacs-build-system'.
          (add-after 'compress-documentation 'enter-lisp-dir