diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 5cc65eac..57708450 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ AC_CANONICAL_TARGET
 
 # This call is required by automake.
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([foreign dist-zip subdir-objects])
+AM_MAINTAINER_MODE()
 
 AC_MSG_NOTICE([checking user options])