diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 268ed21b69..72d16a495b 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -2811,7 +2811,11 @@ fi
 open_by_hande_at=no
 cat > $TMPC << EOF
 #include <fcntl.h>
+#if !defined(AT_EMPTY_PATH)
+# error missing definition
+#else
 int main(void) { struct file_handle fh; return open_by_handle_at(0, &fh, 0); }
+#endif
 EOF
 if compile_prog "" "" ; then
     open_by_handle_at=yes