diff --git a/ase/configure.ac b/ase/configure.ac
index 631b0c5a..87a3af97 100644
--- a/ase/configure.ac
+++ b/ase/configure.ac
@@ -10,9 +10,11 @@ AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR(config)
 
 # Checks for programs.
 AC_PROG_CC
-#AC_PROG_RANLIB
 AC_PROG_LIBTOOL
 
+AC_CHECK_TOOL(RANLIB, ranlib)
+AC_CHECK_TOOL(AR, ar)
+
 # native java compiler
 AC_CHECK_TOOL(CJ, gcj)