diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@ PKGCONFIG_OHNOWRAP([DISTLIBS], [libconfu
 
 PKGCONFIG_OHNOWRAP([CHECK], [check >= 0.9.3])
 
+# define paths for configuration files:
+
+AC_DEFINE_DIR([LOCALSTATEDIR], [localstatedir], [Default directory for storing state information])
+AC_DEFINE_DIR([RUNSTATEDIR], [runstatedir], [Default directory for registering runtime information like pid-files])
+
 AC_CONFIG_FILES([Makefile
 src/Makefile
 src/tests/Makefile