diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 61b6b47b4..315bbf8fc 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -314,9 +314,9 @@ AC_ARG_WITH([utils],
 
 AC_ARG_WITH([libs],
   [AS_HELP_STRING([--with-libs],
-  [build libraries (default=yes)])],
+  [build libraries (default=no)])],
   [build_bitcoin_libs=$withval],
-  [build_bitcoin_libs=yes])
+  [build_bitcoin_libs=no])
 
 AC_ARG_WITH([daemon],
   [AS_HELP_STRING([--with-daemon],