diff --git a/m4/boinc_platform.m4 b/m4/boinc_platform.m4
index 9a0ee4fc3f..91c9efa0bb 100644
--- a/m4/boinc_platform.m4
+++ b/m4/boinc_platform.m4
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ AC_DEFUN([BOINC_PLATFORM],[
 	      [boinc_platform=])
   AC_ARG_WITH([boinc-alt-platform],
               AC_HELP_STRING([--with-boinc-alt-platform],
-	                      [override the boinc alterate platform]),
+	                      [override the boinc alternate platform]),
 	      [boinc_alt_platform="$withval"],
 	      [boinc_alt_platform=])
   AC_MSG_CHECKING([boinc platform])