diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 6ceb02a..70dd106 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR([autostuff])
 AC_CANONICAL_TARGET
 
 # We require at least automake 1.11 (needed for 'silent rules').
-AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([1.11 -Wall -Werror])
+AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE([1.11 -Wall -Werror check-news])
 m4_ifdef([AM_SILENT_RULES], [AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])])
 m4_ifdef([AM_PROG_AR], [AM_PROG_AR])