diff --git a/Makefile.org b/Makefile.org
index 173c1ab9b..f1d7903f1 100644
--- a/Makefile.org
+++ b/Makefile.org
@@ -488,7 +488,8 @@ install: all install_docs
 		if [ -f "$$i" ]; then \
 		(       echo installing $$i; \
 			cp $$i $(INSTALL_PREFIX)$(INSTALLTOP)/lib; \
-			$(RANLIB) $(INSTALL_PREFIX)$(INSTALLTOP)/lib/$$i; \
+			(echo $$i | grep '\\.a$$' > /dev/null 2>&1) \
+			&& $(RANLIB) $(INSTALL_PREFIX)$(INSTALLTOP)/lib/$$i; \
 			chmod 644 $(INSTALL_PREFIX)$(INSTALLTOP)/lib/$$i ); \
 		fi \
 	done