diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ PKGCONFIG_OHNOWRAP([CHECK], [check >= 0.
 # 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_DEFINE_DIR([RUNSTATEDIR], [localstatedir/run], [Default directory for registering runtime information like pid-files])
 
 AC_CONFIG_FILES([Makefile
 src/Makefile