diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 94e97302d..1e858e12f 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #
 SYSTEM=
 BEOS_NETSERVER=no
+BEOS_OLDCC=no
 MATH=no
 PTHREAD=no
 OPENSSL=
@@ -256,6 +257,18 @@ case $SYSTEM in
         exit 1 
         ;;
     esac
+    GCCVER=`$CC --version`
+    case $GCCVER in
+      2.95.3*|3*|4*)
+        ;;
+      2.9*)
+      	BEOS_OLDCC=yes
+      	;;
+      *)
+        echo "Unsupported gcc version"
+        exit 1
+        ;;
+    esac
     ;;
 
   Darwin)
@@ -301,6 +314,11 @@ if [ "$OPENSSL" = no ]; then
 else
   openssl_test
 fi 
+if [ "$OPENSSL" = no ] && [ "$BEOS_OLDCC" = yes ]; then
+  echo "built-in SHA1 implementation not supported with your gcc version"
+  echo "you must either install OpenSSL or gcc 2.95.3 or newer"
+  exit 1
+fi
 
 #
 # GTK+ settings