diff --git a/src/libstrongswan/printf_hook.h b/src/libstrongswan/printf_hook.h
index 11fd66ce9..8e4a08302 100644
--- a/src/libstrongswan/printf_hook.h
+++ b/src/libstrongswan/printf_hook.h
@@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ typedef struct printf_hook_t printf_hook_t;
 typedef struct printf_hook_spec_t printf_hook_spec_t;
 typedef enum printf_hook_argtype_t printf_hook_argtype_t;
 
+#if !defined(USE_VSTR) && \
+	!defined(HAVE_PRINTF_FUNCTION) && \
+	!defined(HAVE_PRINTF_SPECIFIER)
+/* assume newer glibc register_printf_specifier if none given */
+#define HAVE_PRINTF_SPECIFIER
+#endif
+
 #if !defined(USE_VSTR) && \
 	(defined(HAVE_PRINTF_FUNCTION) || defined(HAVE_PRINTF_SPECIFIER))