--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -117,9 +117,9 @@ if test "$disable_ui" != "yes" ; then
 	fi
 
 	if test "$enable_espeak" != "no" ; then
-		AC_CHECK_LIB([espeak], [espeak_Initialize], [
+		AC_CHECK_LIB([espeak-ng], [espeak_Initialize], [
 			AC_DEFINE(HAVE_ESPEAK, 1, [have espeak])
-			LIBS="-lespeak $LIBS"
+			LIBS="-lespeak-ng $LIBS"
 			echo "Enabled optional eSpeak support."
 		], [
 			echo "Optional eSpeak support is not enabled."