diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index eed9752d40fbd..26b720748f11d 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -436,6 +436,8 @@ AC_CHECK_HEADER([boost/random/discrete_distribution.hpp],
 
 AC_CHECK_HEADER([boost/statechart/state.hpp], [],
     AC_MSG_FAILURE(["Can't find boost statechart headers; need 1.34 or later"]))
+AC_CHECK_HEADER([boost/program_options/option.hpp], [],
+    AC_MSG_FAILURE(["Can't find boost program_options headers"]))
 
 # If we have the boost system library installed, then we may want to link
 # with it.