diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index f7369ce3..942245df 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ libevent_a_LIBADD = @LIBOBJS@
 
 include_HEADERS = event.h
 
+INCLUDES = -Icompat
+
 man_MANS = event.3
 
 DISTCLEANFILES = *~