diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index ffc7741a051..0f88e78c616 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -263,9 +263,7 @@ class PyBuildExt(build_ext):
         for ext in self.extensions:
             self.check_extension_import(ext)
 
-        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 or self.failed_on_import:
             all_failed = self.failed + self.failed_on_import
             longest = max(longest, max([len(name) for name in all_failed]))