diff --git a/python/amici/__init__.py b/python/amici/__init__.py
index 97de3323b7..a57e36c3de 100644
--- a/python/amici/__init__.py
+++ b/python/amici/__init__.py
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ def _imported_from_setup() -> bool:
     """Check whether this module is imported from `setup.py`"""
 
     from inspect import getouterframes, currentframe
+    from os import sep
 
     # in case we are imported from setup.py, this will be the AMICI package
     # root directory (otherwise it is most likely the Python library directory,
@@ -75,7 +76,9 @@ def _imported_from_setup() -> bool:
         # requires the AMICI extension during its installation, but seems
         # unlikely...
         frame_path = os.path.realpath(os.path.expanduser(frame.filename))
-        if frame_path == os.path.join(package_root, 'setup.py'):
+        if (frame_path == os.path.join(package_root, 'setup.py')
+                or frame_path.endswith(f"{sep}setuptools{sep}build_meta.py")
+        ):
             return True
 
     return False