diff --git a/scripts/update_api.py b/scripts/update_api.py
index 8c0c895d9..7d43b70ce 100755
--- a/scripts/update_api.py
+++ b/scripts/update_api.py
@@ -1672,6 +1672,13 @@ for d in _all_dirs:
   except:
     pass
 
+if _lib is None:
+  # If all else failed, ask the system to find it.
+  try:
+    _lib = ctypes.CDLL('libz3.%s' % _ext)
+  except:
+    pass
+
 if _lib is None:
   print("Could not find libz3.%s; consider adding the directory containing it to" % _ext)
   print("  - your system's PATH environment variable,")