diff --git a/python/lammps/mliap/__init__.py b/python/lammps/mliap/__init__.py
index 321594ad6d..bc7dd1d6a2 100644
--- a/python/lammps/mliap/__init__.py
+++ b/python/lammps/mliap/__init__.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ try:
     pylib = ctypes.CDLL(library)
 except OSError as e:
     if library.endswith(".a"):
-        library = library.strip(".a") + ".so"
+        library = library.strip(".a") + SHLIB_SUFFIX
         pylib = ctypes.CDLL(library)
     else:
         raise e