diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index 6f6da7156c3..277965837c3 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -252,9 +252,7 @@ def build_extensions(self):
 
         build_ext.build_extensions(self)
 
-        longest = 0
-        if self.extensions:
-            longest = max([len(e.name) for e in self.extensions])
+        longest = max([len(e.name) for e in self.extensions], default=0)
         if self.failed:
             longest = max(longest, max([len(name) for name in self.failed]))