diff --git a/cabal-install/Distribution/Client/Install.hs b/cabal-install/Distribution/Client/Install.hs
index 0ae8c00f1f3582e91d52938e7bb9a753bb8e66db..b7d66c455fde7f680ba04709f85f64a4d97ad92b 100644
--- a/cabal-install/Distribution/Client/Install.hs
+++ b/cabal-install/Distribution/Client/Install.hs
@@ -45,8 +45,10 @@ import System.Exit
          ( ExitCode(..) )
 import Distribution.Compat.Exception
          ( catchIO, catchExit )
+#if !MIN_VERSION_base(4,8,0)
 import Control.Applicative
          ( (<$>) )
+#endif
 import Control.Monad
          ( forM_, when, unless )
 import System.Directory