diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 32ab0472bf640a93bfa11d73086b38019ff2f6e0..fdbb7ababce9210c1e0521d44cffa09600cde033 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -11,8 +11,7 @@ AX_EXT
 
 # Checks for programs.
 AC_PROG_CC
-m4_pattern_allow([AM_PROG_AR]) # for automake 1.12
-AM_PROG_AR
+m4_ifdef([AM_PROG_AR], [AM_PROG_AR]) # call AM_PROG_AR only if available
 
 # Initialize libtool
 AC_DISABLE_STATIC