diff --git a/ext/gd/config.m4 b/ext/gd/config.m4
index 7a2891ef03e..6378535f0ad 100644
--- a/ext/gd/config.m4
+++ b/ext/gd/config.m4
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ dnl A whole whack of possible places where this might be
         AC_CHECK_LIB(gd, gdImageString16, [ AC_DEFINE(HAVE_LIBGD13) ])
 	ac_cv_lib_gd_gdImageLine=yes
       else
-        AC_MSG_RESULT(no)
+        AC_MSG_ERROR(Unable to find libgd.a anywhere under $withval)
       fi ;;
   esac
 ],[