diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index efb307ac..099b623f 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ AC_C_CONST
 AC_PROG_LIBTOOL
 PKG_PROG_PKG_CONFIG
 
+# Use silent rules by default if supported by Automake
+m4_ifdef([AM_SILENT_RULES], [AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])])
+
 case $host_os in
 	*linux*)
 		linux=yes