diff --git a/config-daemon.ac b/config-daemon.ac
index 056c939e39..42b59819d3 100644
--- a/config-daemon.ac
+++ b/config-daemon.ac
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ AC_MSG_RESULT([$guix_build_daemon])
 
 dnl C++ environment.  This macro must be used unconditionnaly.
 AC_PROG_CXX
+AM_PROG_AR
 AC_LANG([C++])
 
 if test "x$guix_build_daemon" = "xyes"; then