diff --git a/.appveyor.yml b/.appveyor.yml
index 3c826f3cc..313ad9e6f 100644
--- a/.appveyor.yml
+++ b/.appveyor.yml
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ install:
       IF "%IMG%" == "2019" set OPENSSL=OpenSSL-v111
       set OPENSSL_DIR=/c/%OPENSSL%-%TEST%
       C:\%OPENSSL%-%TEST%\bin\openssl.exe version -a
+  # newer versions of msys2 don't provide autotools via base-devel anymore
+  - IF "%IMG%" == "2019" %MSYS_SH% --login -c ". /etc/profile && pacman --noconfirm -S --needed autotools"
 
 build_script:
   - '%MSYS_SH% --login -c ". /etc/profile && cd $APPVEYOR_BUILD_FOLDER && ./scripts/test.sh deps"'