diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index e40df703b..ffa7dc343 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ case "$with_freetype2" in
         fi
 
         if test -f $with_freetype2/include/freetype2/ft2build.h; then
-            FREETYPE2_CFLAGS="-I $with_freetype2/include/freetype2"
+            FREETYPE2_CFLAGS="-isystem $with_freetype2/include/freetype2"
         else
             AC_MSG_RESULT([no])
             AC_MSG_ERROR([Can't find $with_freetype2/include/freetype2/ft2build.h])