diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 6344b4e..86d968e 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ AM_YFLAGS = --warnings=all -d
 
 lib_LTLIBRARIES = libjq.la
 libjq_la_SOURCES = ${LIBJQ_SRC}
-libjq_la_LIBADD = -lm
+libjq_la_LIBADD = -lm $(onig_LIBS)
 libjq_la_LDFLAGS = $(onig_LDFLAGS) -export-symbols-regex '^j[qv]_' -version-info 1:4:0
 
 if WIN32
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 280694c..d96026e 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -249,6 +249,9 @@ AS_IF([test "x$with_oniguruma" != xno], [
           onig_CFLAGS="-I${with_oniguruma}/include"
           onig_LDFLAGS="-L${with_oniguruma}/lib"
       ])
+   ], [
+	   # with_oniguruma == yes
+	   PKG_CHECK_MODULES([onig], [oniguruma])
    ])
    AS_IF([test "x$build_oniguruma" = xno], [
        # check for ONIGURUMA library, either in /usr or where requested