diff --git a/ocaml-findlib.spec b/ocaml-findlib.spec
index 5096489..8c9c5ea 100644
--- a/ocaml-findlib.spec
+++ b/ocaml-findlib.spec
@@ -91,9 +91,11 @@ make opt
 rm doc/guide-html/TIMESTAMP
 
 %install
+%if !%opt
 # get rid of /usr/lib/rpm/brp-strip-debug 
 # strip kills the bytecode part of ELF binaries
 export NO_BRP_STRIP_DEBUG=true
+%endif
 make install DESTDIR=$RPM_BUILD_ROOT
 
 %clean