diff --git a/configure.in b/configure.in
index 3acf7b335..37d1d2f35 100644
--- a/configure.in
+++ b/configure.in
@@ -166,6 +166,9 @@ AC_MINIX
 AM_PROG_CC_STDC
 AM_PROG_LIBTOOL
 
+AC_CHECK_PROG(have_makeinfo, makeinfo, yes, no)
+AM_CONDITIONAL(HAVE_MAKEINFO, test "$have_makeinfo" = yes)
+
 AC_C_CONST
 AC_C_INLINE
 AC_C_BIGENDIAN