diff --git a/openbsc/configure.in b/openbsc/configure.in
index 1d2db88c0..4cd1952ff 100644
--- a/openbsc/configure.in
+++ b/openbsc/configure.in
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ PKG_CHECK_MODULES(LIBOSMOVTY, libosmovty >= 0.1.28)
 dnl checks for header files
 AC_HEADER_STDC
 AC_CHECK_HEADERS(dahdi/user.h,,AC_MSG_WARN(DAHDI input driver will not be built))
+AC_CHECK_HEADERS(dbi/dbd.h,,AC_MSG_ERROR(DBI library is not installed))
 
 
 dnl Checks for typedefs, structures and compiler characteristics