diff --git a/python-base.spec b/python-base.spec
index a02a5cd..a03fada 100644
--- a/python-base.spec
+++ b/python-base.spec
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ sed -i 's/^version_required/dnl version_required/' configure.ac
 # COMMON-PREP-END
 
 %build
-export OPT="%{optflags}"
+export OPT="%{optflags} -DOPENSSL_LOAD_CONF"
 
 autoreconf -f -i . # Modules/_ctypes/libffi
 
diff --git a/python.changes b/python.changes
index 8c2a36c..14fc260 100644
--- a/python.changes
+++ b/python.changes
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+-------------------------------------------------------------------
+Thu Sep 19 17:40:05 UTC 2013 - crrodriguez@opensuse.org
+
+- build with -DOPENSSL_LOAD_CONF so python honours 
+ the system's openSSL configuration if any, allowing it to
+ benefit from openssl ENGINE functionality.
+
 -------------------------------------------------------------------
 Mon Aug 26 13:55:35 UTC 2013 - lnussel@suse.de
 
diff --git a/python.spec b/python.spec
index 31c5426..5be41ff 100644
--- a/python.spec
+++ b/python.spec
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ rm Demo/scripts/newslist.*
 # necessary for correct linking with GDBM:
 export SUSE_ASNEEDED=0
 
-export OPT="%{optflags}"
+export OPT="%{optflags} -DOPENSSL_LOAD_CONF"
 
 autoreconf -f -i . # Modules/_ctypes/libffi
 # prevent make from trying to rebuild asdl stuff, which requires existing