diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index cad1def15..f480b46ad 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ AC_CONFIG_HEADER([src/include/ngspice/config.h])
 
 # Initialise automake stuff
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([-Wall -Werror nostdinc])
-AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])
+m4_ifdef([AM_SILENT_RULES], [AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])])
 
 m4_ifdef([AM_PROG_AR], [AM_PROG_AR])