--- Makefile.am
+++ Makefile.am
@@ -25,7 +25,12 @@
 # the GNU Lesser General Public License.
 
 # Where to find the headers
+
+if BOOST_NOT_STD
 AM_CPPFLAGS = -I$(srcdir)/src -I@BOOSTDIR@ 
+else
+AM_CPPFLAGS = -I$(srcdir)/src
+endif
 
 # we assume a compliant compiler, but maybe it's a good idea to get this
 # refined in configure.in (contributions welcome)
--- configure.in
+++ configure.in
@@ -54,9 +54,11 @@
 AC_ARG_WITH(boost,
     AC_HELP_STRING([--with-boost=BOOST_PREFIX],
             [place where boost headers reside]),
-    [ BOOSTDIR="$withval"; echo $withval; ],
-    AC_MSG_ERROR([please rerun using flag --with-boost=BOOST_PREFIX ]) )     
+    [BOOSTDIR="$withval"; echo $withval; ],
+    [AC_CHECK_HEADER([boost/config.hpp],,
+		     [AC_MSG_WARN([please rerun using flag --with-boost=BOOST_PREFIX])] )])
 
+AM_CONDITIONAL([BOOST_NOT_STD], [test ! -z x$BOOSTDIR])
 
 ################################################################################
 # transfer the obtained information to automake