diff --git a/build-aux/m4/ax_boost_base.m4 b/build-aux/m4/ax_boost_base.m4
index 45d948933..650c94fa6 100644
--- a/build-aux/m4/ax_boost_base.m4
+++ b/build-aux/m4/ax_boost_base.m4
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 #   and this notice are preserved. This file is offered as-is, without any
 #   warranty.
 
-#serial 26
+#serial 27
 
 AC_DEFUN([AX_BOOST_BASE],
 [
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ if test "x$want_boost" = "xyes"; then
         libsubdirs="lib64 libx32 lib lib64"
         ;;
       ppc64|s390x|sparc64|aarch64|ppc64le)
-        libsubdirs="lib64 lib lib64 ppc64le"
+        libsubdirs="lib64 lib lib64"
         ;;
     esac
 
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 9ce10b745..705327e81 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -589,8 +589,11 @@ fi
 
 if test x$use_boost = xyes; then
 
+dnl Minimum required Boost version
+define(MINIMUM_REQUIRED_BOOST, 1.47.0)
+
 dnl Check for boost libs
-AX_BOOST_BASE
+AX_BOOST_BASE([MINIMUM_REQUIRED_BOOST])
 AX_BOOST_SYSTEM
 AX_BOOST_FILESYSTEM
 AX_BOOST_PROGRAM_OPTIONS