diff --git build-utils/getversion.sh build-utils/getversion.sh
index 0f9a4fcc..434c3e75 100755
--- build-utils/getversion.sh
+++ build-utils/getversion.sh
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ VERSION_FROM_ARCHIVE=$Format:%H$
 
 # The preferred method is to use the git describe command but this is only
 # possible if the .git directory is present.
-if [ -d .git -a -r .git ]
+if [ -e .git -a -r .git ]
 then
     VERSION_FROM_GIT=`git describe --tags --always`
 fi