diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 90c9179e..94ec3acc 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ AM_CONDITIONAL(OS2, test x$os2 = xtrue)
 AC_ARG_WITH(launchd, AS_HELP_STRING([--with-launchd], [Build with support for Apple's launchd (default: auto)]), [LAUNCHD=$withval], [LAUNCHD=auto])
 if test "x$LAUNCHD" = xauto; then
 	unset LAUNCHD
-	AC_CHECK_PROG(LAUNCHD, [launchd], [yes], [no])
+	AC_CHECK_PROG(LAUNCHD, [launchd], [yes], [no], [$PATH$PATH_SEPARATOR/sbin])
 fi
 
 if test "x$LAUNCHD" = xyes ; then