diff --git a/openbsc/configure.in b/openbsc/configure.in
index 94fb15f..25c5029 100644
--- a/openbsc/configure.in
+++ b/openbsc/configure.in
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE(openbsc, 0.0alpha1)
 
+dnl kernel style compile messages
+m4_ifdef([AM_SILENT_RULES], [AM_SILENT_RULES([yes])])
+
 dnl checks for programs
 AC_PROG_MAKE_SET
 AC_PROG_CC