diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 7eabae45ad..c6e4aa05a8 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -1163,8 +1163,8 @@ fi
 # pkg-config probe
 
 if ! has $pkg_config; then
-  # likely not cross compiling, or hope for the best
-  pkg_config=pkg-config
+  echo warning: proceeding without "$pkg_config" >&2
+  pkg_config=/bin/false
 fi
 
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