diff --git a/configure.in b/configure.in
index ce66474b07..278e001f48 100644
--- a/configure.in
+++ b/configure.in
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ dnl PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS
 dnl ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS
 dnl SOFTWARE.
 
-AC_REVISION($Revision: 1.129 $)
+AC_REVISION($Revision: 1.130 $)
 
 AC_PREREQ(2.13)
 
@@ -35,6 +35,16 @@ ARFLAGS="cruv"
 AC_SUBST(AR)
 AC_SUBST(ARFLAGS)
 
+case "$AR" in
+	"")
+		AC_MSG_ERROR([
+ar program not found.  Please fix your PATH to include the directory in
+which ar resides, or set AR in the environment with the full path to ar.
+])
+
+		;;
+esac
+
 AC_PATH_PROGS(ETAGS, etags emacs-etags)
 AC_SUBST(ETAGS)