diff --git a/matlab/add_path_to_mex_files.m b/matlab/add_path_to_mex_files.m
index 70f9fa7f5..8d5f718af 100644
--- a/matlab/add_path_to_mex_files.m
+++ b/matlab/add_path_to_mex_files.m
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ if nargin<2
     modifypath = true;
 end
     
-if isoctave
+if exist('OCTAVE_VERSION')
     mexpath = {[dynareroot '../mex/octave/']};
     if modifypath
         addpath(mexpath{1});