diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ fi
 
 PKG_CHECK_MODULES([LIBZ], [zlib])
 AC_MSG_CHECKING([libz library directory])
-PKG_CHECK_VAR([LIBZ_LIBDIR], [zlib], [libdir])
+PKG_CHECK_VAR([LIBZ_LIBDIR], [zlib], [sharedlibdir])
 AC_MSG_RESULT([$LIBZ_LIBDIR])
 AS_IF([test "x$LIBZ_LIBDIR" = "x"], [
   AC_MSG_FAILURE([Unable to identify libz lib path.])