diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 9ebc80d..f8354a9 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -21,6 +21,15 @@
 # Checks for libraries.
 AC_CHECK_HEADER([host-ipmid], [AC_MSG_ERROR(["phosphor-host-ipmid required and not found."])])
 
+# We require linux i2c functionality
+AC_CHECK_HEADERS([linux/i2c-dev.h], [], [
+  AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not find linux/i2c-dev.h])
+])
+AC_CHECK_HEADERS([linux/i2c.h], [], [
+  AC_MSG_ERROR([Could not find linux/i2c.h])
+])
+
+
 # Checks for library functions.
 LT_INIT # Required for systemd linking