diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index e8fcb85886..d0bcb46a1e 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -722,6 +722,11 @@ if test "$enable_encoders" = "yes"; then
             ])
         CPPFLAGS="$saved_CPPFLAGS"
     fi
+
+    if test "$USE_GST_API_1_0p" != "yes"; then
+        AC_MSG_WARN([GStreamer API < 1.0, disabling encoders])
+        USE_ENCODERS=0
+    fi
 fi
 
 dnl VA/Wayland API