diff --git a/src/generator.ml b/src/generator.ml
index 1a4e507bc..66c272f18 100755
--- a/src/generator.ml
+++ b/src/generator.ml
@@ -8096,7 +8096,7 @@ let output_to filename =
 let () =
   check_functions ();
 
-  if not (Sys.file_exists "config.status") then (
+  if not (Sys.file_exists "HACKING") then (
     eprintf "\
 You are probably running this from the wrong directory.
 Run it from the top source directory using the command