diff --git a/aksetup_helper.py b/aksetup_helper.py
index a52976dc03d310ab43e2cde42dc2a0b371ddae9c..3f09d3365bf425e4a824e1d4a3473a2aea02ce7e 100644
--- a/aksetup_helper.py
+++ b/aksetup_helper.py
@@ -50,8 +50,15 @@ class PyUblasExtension(NumpyExtension):
     def get_module_include_path(self, name):
         from imp import find_module
         file, pathname, descr = find_module(name)
-        from os.path import join
-        return join(pathname, "..", "include")
+        from os.path import join, exists
+        installed_path = join(pathname, "..", "include")
+        development_path = join(pathname, "..", "src", "cpp")
+        if exists(installed_path):
+            return installed_path
+        elif exists(development_path):
+            return development_path
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError("could not find C include path for module '%s'" % name)
 
     @property
     def include_dirs(self):