diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index d0b659b56..9dd21ea87 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@ m4_define([HEADING],
           [AS_ECHO
            AS_ECHO(["${term_bold}$1${term_restore}"])])
 
+HEADING([Checking for C compiler and basic build environment])
+
 AC_CONFIG_AUX_DIR([build-aux])
 AC_REQUIRE_AUX_FILE([guestfs-test-driver])