diff --git a/libmapper/app.c b/libmapper/app.c
index f0d6b03..887d02f 100644
--- a/libmapper/app.c
+++ b/libmapper/app.c
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
  * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
  * limitations under the License.
  */
+#include "config.h"
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <systemd/sd-bus.h>
diff --git a/libmapper/workaround/systemd.h b/libmapper/workaround/systemd.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b32753
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libmapper/workaround/systemd.h
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+#ifdef IS_UNPATCHED_SYSTEMD
+#include <systemd/sd-bus.h>
+
+int sd_bus_message_append_cmdline(sd_bus_message *m, const char *signature,
+    char ***x) { return 0; }
+#endif