--- a/etc/Makefile.am
+++ b/etc/Makefile.am
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 # The directory where the data files will be installed
 
 install-data-local:
-	if [ ! -d $(prefix)/etc ]; then $(INSTALL) -d $(prefix)/etc; fi
+	if [ ! -d $(DESTDIR)/$(prefix)/etc ]; then $(INSTALL) -d $(DESTDIR)/$(prefix)/etc; fi
 
-	$(INSTALL_DATA) mgncs.cfg $(prefix)/etc/mgncs.cfg
+	$(INSTALL_DATA) mgncs.cfg $(DESTDIR)/$(prefix)/etc/mgncs.cfg
 
 EXTRA_DIST = mgncs.cfg