diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 4a06e73a4f..b582a7814e 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -1500,10 +1500,6 @@ fi
 AM_CONDITIONAL([WITH_INTERFACE], [test "$with_interface" = "yes"])
 
 
-AC_PATH_PROG([QEMU_BRIDGE_HELPER], [qemu-bridge-helper], [/usr/libexec/qemu-bridge-helper],
-                  [/usr/libexec:/usr/lib/qemu:/usr/lib])
-AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED([QEMU_BRIDGE_HELPER], ["$QEMU_BRIDGE_HELPER"], [QEMU bridge helper])
-
 dnl GET_VLAN_VID_CMD is required for virNetDevGetVLanID
 AC_CHECK_DECLS([GET_VLAN_VID_CMD], [], [], [[#include <linux/if_vlan.h>]])
 
diff --git a/m4/virt-driver-qemu.m4 b/m4/virt-driver-qemu.m4
index 9e65e85364..6586be0b15 100644
--- a/m4/virt-driver-qemu.m4
+++ b/m4/virt-driver-qemu.m4
@@ -51,6 +51,12 @@ AC_DEFUN([LIBVIRT_DRIVER_CHECK_QEMU], [
   fi
   AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED([QEMU_USER], ["$QEMU_USER"], [QEMU user account])
   AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED([QEMU_GROUP], ["$QEMU_GROUP"], [QEMU group account])
+
+  AC_PATH_PROG([QEMU_BRIDGE_HELPER], [qemu-bridge-helper],
+               [/usr/libexec/qemu-bridge-helper],
+               [/usr/libexec:/usr/lib/qemu:/usr/lib])
+  AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED([QEMU_BRIDGE_HELPER], ["$QEMU_BRIDGE_HELPER"],
+                     [QEMU bridge helper])
 ])
 
 AC_DEFUN([LIBVIRT_DRIVER_RESULT_QEMU], [