diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index c8f76e43..0915afc3 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -643,9 +643,13 @@ AM_CONDITIONAL([COND_SHARED], [test "x$enable_shared" != xno])
 # Checks for libraries.
 ###############################################################################
 
+dnl Support for _REQUIRE_VERSION was added in gettext 0.19.6. If both
+dnl _REQUIRE_VERSION and _VERSION are present, the _VERSION is ignored.
+dnl We use both for compatibility with other programs in the Autotools family.
 echo
 echo "Initializing gettext:"
-AM_GNU_GETTEXT_VERSION([0.19])
+AM_GNU_GETTEXT_REQUIRE_VERSION([0.19.6])
+AM_GNU_GETTEXT_VERSION([0.19.6])
 AM_GNU_GETTEXT([external])