diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 0a222a8..38b6bf8 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ SVN_REVISION=svn_revision
 AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED([SVN_REVISION], ["$SVN_REVISION"], [SVN revision])
 
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE
-AM_PROG_AR
+m4_ifdef([AM_PROG_AR], [AM_PROG_AR])
 
 m4_ifdef([AM_SILENT_RULES],[AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])])