--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ dnl Checks for programs.
 AC_PROG_CC
 AC_PROG_INSTALL
 AC_PROG_RANLIB
+AC_CHECK_TOOL([AR], [ar])
 
 dnl Checks for header files.
 AC_HEADER_STDC
--- a/libbridge/Makefile.in
+++ b/libbridge/Makefile.in
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 
 KERNEL_HEADERS=-I@KERNEL_HEADERS@
 
-AR=ar
+AR=@AR@
 RANLIB=@RANLIB@
 
 CC=@CC@