diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 3552c5c36..34f25e1f4 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -86,6 +86,17 @@ else
   AC_MSG_RESULT([no])
 fi
 
+#
+# Set up various programs needed for install
+# Note AC_PROG_CXX sets CXXFLAGS if not set, which we want
+# So ensure this happens before we modify CXXFLAGS below
+#
+
+AC_PROG_CXX([g++ c++])
+AC_PROG_CPP
+AC_PROG_INSTALL
+
+echo "CXXFLAGS: $CXXFLAGS"
 
 #
 # Detect directories which may contain additional headers, libraries
@@ -147,15 +158,6 @@ AH_BOTTOM([#if __GNUC__ >= 3
 #endif])
 
 
-#
-# Set up various programs needed for install
-#
-
-AC_PROG_CXX([g++ c++])
-AC_PROG_CPP
-AC_PROG_INSTALL
-
-
 #
 # Optionally drop gettext support
 #