1diff --git a/flit_gettext/utils.py b/flit_gettext/utils.py
2index dd1b135..1c8877c 100644
3--- a/flit_gettext/utils.py
4+++ b/flit_gettext/utils.py
5@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ def compile_gettext_translations(config):
6 """Compile gettext translations."""
7 print("\33[1m* Compiling gettext translations...\33[0m")
8
9- msgfmt = shutil.which("msgfmt")
10+ msgfmt = shutil.which("msgfmt") or "@msgfmt@"
11
12 if msgfmt is None:
13 raise OSError("msgfmt not found, please install gettext or check your PATH.")