diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 5df93b9e89..0aecc90c80 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -95,6 +95,12 @@ AG_GST_ARCH
 dnl Determine endianness
 AC_C_BIGENDIAN
 
+dnl *** software ***
+
+dnl check for large file support
+dnl affected plugins must include config.h
+AC_SYS_LARGEFILE
+
 dnl *** checks for programs ***
 
 dnl find a compiler