diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 003d76989b9..a4a23474c82 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -1554,6 +1554,7 @@ fi
 
 dnl libevent check
 
+use_libevent=no
 if test "$build_bitcoin_cli$build_bitcoind$bitcoin_enable_qt$use_tests$use_bench" != "nonononono"; then
   PKG_CHECK_MODULES([EVENT], [libevent >= 2.1.8], [use_libevent=yes], [AC_MSG_ERROR([libevent version 2.1.8 or greater not found.])])
   if test "$TARGET_OS" != "windows"; then