diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index f0721cf..25a2ac9 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ AM_CONDITIONAL([WITH_DOC], [test x"$with_doc" != x"no"])
 AC_ARG_WITH([freetype-config],
             [AS_HELP_STRING([--with-freetype-config=PROG],
                             [use FreeType configuration program PROG])],
-            [],
+            [freetype_config=$withval],
             [freetype_config=yes])
 
 if test "$freetype_config" = "yes"; then