diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 5af40c5e..58dcc459 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ AC_PROG_INSTALL
 AC_PROG_LN_S
 AC_PROG_MAKE_SET
 # AM_PROG_AR (added automake >= 1.11.2)
+m4_ifdef([AM_PROG_AR], [AM_PROG_AR])
 AC_PROG_LIBTOOL
 
 # Check if the fortran interface should be included