diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index f74a5262ce..5ab5b38e16 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -16,7 +16,20 @@ AC_CONFIG_HEADERS([config.h])
 AC_CONFIG_MACRO_DIR([m4])
 AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR([build-aux])
 
-AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([1.11 serial-tests tar-ustar no-dist-gzip dist-bzip2 -Wno-portability])
+dnl Initialize automake.  automake < 1.12 didn't have serial-tests and
+dnl gives an error if it sees this, but for automake >= 1.13
+dnl serial-tests is required so we have to include it.  Solution is to
+dnl test for the version of automake (by running an external command)
+dnl and provide it if necessary.  Note we have to do this entirely using
+dnl m4 macros since automake queries this macro by running
+dnl 'autoconf --trace ...'.
+m4_define([serial_tests], [
+    m4_esyscmd([automake --version |
+                head -1 |
+                awk '{split ($NF,a,"."); if (a[1] == 1 && a[2] >= 12) { print "serial-tests" }}'
+    ])
+])
+AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE(1.11 serial_tests tar-ustar no-dist-gzip dist-bzip2 -Wno-portability)  dnl NB: Do not [quote] this parameter.
 AM_MAINTAINER_MODE([enable])
 AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])