diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 0d98a01ac8..6d9aaa0a8e 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ AC_CONFIG_MACRO_DIR([m4])
 AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR([build-aux])
 AC_REQUIRE_AUX_FILE([tap-driver.sh])
 
-AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE(1.12 foreign tar-ustar no-dist-gzip dist-xz -Wno-portability)  dnl NB: Do not [quote] this parameter.
+AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE(1.12 foreign tar-pax no-dist-gzip dist-xz -Wno-portability)  dnl NB: Do not [quote] this parameter.
 AM_MAINTAINER_MODE([enable])
 AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])