diff --git a/src/plugins/qmakeprojectmanager/makestep.cpp b/src/plugins/qmakeprojectmanager/makestep.cpp
index 4a1e77e91ac..79f283cf6bd 100644
--- a/src/plugins/qmakeprojectmanager/makestep.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/qmakeprojectmanager/makestep.cpp
@@ -113,6 +113,8 @@ QString MakeStep::effectiveMakeCommand() const
     QString makeCmd = m_makeCmd;
     if (makeCmd.isEmpty()) {
         QmakeBuildConfiguration *bc = qmakeBuildConfiguration();
+        if (!bc)
+            bc = qobject_cast<QmakeBuildConfiguration *>(target()->activeBuildConfiguration());
         ToolChain *tc = ToolChainKitInformation::toolChain(target()->kit());
 
         if (bc && tc)