diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 4cb08685..9cbf4c1a 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -22,6 +22,17 @@ AC_CONFIG_MACRO_DIR([m4])
 
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([1.11 foreign no-dist-gzip dist-xz])
 
+# Before making a release, the LIBINPUT_LT_VERSION string should be
+# modified.
+# The string is of the form C:R:A.
+# - If interfaces have been changed or added, but binary compatibility has
+#   been preserved, change to C+1:0:A+1
+# - If binary compatibility has been broken (eg removed or changed interfaces)
+#   change to C+1:0:0
+# - If the interface is the same as the previous version, change to C:R+1:A
+LIBINPUT_LT_VERSION=0:0:0
+AC_SUBST(LIBINPUT_LT_VERSION)
+
 AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])
 
 # Check for programs
diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index 579ed25f..471bc1d9 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ libinput_la_CFLAGS = $(MTDEV_CFLAGS)	\
 		     $(LIBEVDEV_CFLAGS)	\
 		     $(GCC_CFLAGS)
 
+libinput_la_LDFLAGS = -version-info $(LIBINPUT_LT_VERSION)
+
 pkgconfigdir = $(libdir)/pkgconfig
 pkgconfig_DATA = libinput.pc