diff --git a/Makefile.maint b/Makefile.maint
index e954a49ad..bca5dd9ee 100644
--- a/Makefile.maint
+++ b/Makefile.maint
@@ -24,7 +24,9 @@
 ME := Makefile.maint
 
 # Do not save the original name or timestamp in the .tar.gz file.
-GZIP_ENV = '--no-name --best --rsyncable'
+gzip_rsyncable := \
+  $(shell gzip --help|grep rsyncable >/dev/null && echo --rsyncable)
+GZIP_ENV = '--no-name --best $(gzip_rsyncable)'
 
 CVS = cvs