diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index a041971..4d52659 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -88,6 +88,10 @@
 FRUGEN="$PYTHON $srcdir/scripts/fru_gen.py -i $FRU_YAML_GEN"
 AC_SUBST(FRUGEN)
 
+AS_IF([test "x$CHANNEL_YAML_GEN" == "x"], [CHANNEL_YAML_GEN="channel-example.yaml"])
+CHANNELGEN="$PYTHON ${srcdir}/scripts/channel_gen.py -i $CHANNEL_YAML_GEN"
+AC_SUBST(CHANNELGEN)
+
 AC_DEFINE(CALLOUT_FWD_ASSOCIATION, "callout", [The name of the callout's forward association.])
 AC_DEFINE(BOARD_SENSOR, "/xyz/openbmc_project/inventory/system/chassis/motherboard", [The inventory path to the motherboard fault sensor.])
 AC_DEFINE(SYSTEM_SENSOR, "/xyz/openbmc_project/inventory/system", [The inventory path to the system event sensor.])