diff --git a/configure.ac.in b/configure.ac.in
index 91324d6..db445cc 100644
--- a/configure.ac.in
+++ b/configure.ac.in
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ dnl ***************************
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([1.9 dist-bzip2 tar-ustar no-dist-gzip])
 AC_CONFIG_HEADERS([config.h])
 AM_MAINTAINER_MODE()
+m4_ifdef([AM_SILENT_RULES], [AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])])
 
 dnl ********************************
 dnl *** Check for basic programs ***