diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 39f9495df4..0f2e6ce5b5 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ AC_PROG_LIBTOOL
 
 dnl find a compiler
 AC_PROG_CC
+AC_PROG_CC_STDC
 
 dnl check if the compiler supports '-c' and '-o' options
 AM_PROG_CC_C_O