diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 37745c40..894e72d0 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -398,8 +398,9 @@ case "${host_cpu}" in
 	    fi
 	fi
 	;;
-  powerpc)
+  powerpc*)
 	AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED([HAVE_ALTIVEC], [ ])
+	CPU_SPINWAIT='__asm__ volatile("or 31,31,31")'
 	;;
   *)
 	;;