diff --git a/ext/Makefile.am b/ext/Makefile.am
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c0ad328227
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ext/Makefile.am
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+if USE_ESD
+ESD_DIR=esd
+else
+ESD_DIR=
+endif
+
+if USE_LAME
+LAME_DIR=lame
+else
+LAME_DIR=
+endif
+
+if USE_MAD
+MAD_DIR=mad
+else
+MAD_DIR=
+endif
+
+if USE_SDL
+SDL_DIR=sdl
+else
+SDL_DIR=
+endif
+
+if USE_VORBIS
+VORBIS_DIR=vorbis
+else
+VORBIS_DIR=
+endif
+
+
+SUBDIRS=$(ESD_DIR) $(LAME_DIR) $(MAD_DIR) $(SDL_DIR) $(VORBIS_DIR)
+
+DIST_SUBDIRS=esd lame mad sdl vorbis