diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index b67d95b3..22c48984 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ AS_IF([test "$cross_compiling" != no],
   AC_DEFINE(CROSS_COMPILING, [1], [define if you are cross-compiling])
 )
 
+AX_CHECK_COMPILE_FLAG([-fvisibility=hidden],
+  [CFLAGS="$CFLAGS -fvisibility=hidden"])
+
 case $host_os in
   cygwin* | mingw* | pw32* | cegcc*) ;;
   *)