diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index b5a8d0b5c6accea2cf791fec22e84e648b675c79..c8c1ee94860e164a356784a8dd1a3fbc6e02f3ca 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -80,12 +80,12 @@ if swift_path:
     ])
 
     # hdf5
+    if "/usr/bin" in hdf5_root:
+        include.append("/usr/include/hdf5/serial")
+
     if "bin" in hdf5_root:
         hdf5_root = hdf5_root.split("bin")[0]
 
-    if "/usr/lib" in hdf5_root:
-        include.append("/usr/include/hdf5/serial")
-
     # grackle
     if parseCmdLine("--with-grackle", store=True):
         grackle_inc = getValueFromMakefile(swift_path, "GRACKLE_INCS = -I")