diff --git a/kexec-tools.spec b/kexec-tools.spec
index 6b0da49..c0ab545 100644
--- a/kexec-tools.spec
+++ b/kexec-tools.spec
@@ -94,6 +94,18 @@ ln -s %{_sbindir}/kexec %{buildroot}/sbin
 %posttrans
 %{?regenerate_initrd_posttrans}
 
+# Compatibility cruft
+# there is no %license prior to SLE12
+%if %{undefined _defaultlicensedir}
+%define license %doc
+%else
+# filesystem before SLE12 SP3 lacks /usr/share/licenses
+%if 0%(test ! -d %{_defaultlicensedir} && echo 1)
+%define _defaultlicensedir %_defaultdocdir
+%endif
+%endif
+# End of compatibility cruft
+
 %files
 %license COPYING
 %doc AUTHORS News TODO doc