--- libhdf4-4.3.1.orig/configure.ac
+++ libhdf4-4.3.1/configure.ac
@@ -844,15 +844,16 @@
         else
             exit(1);
     }
-    ]])],[CAN_ENCODE="yes"],[CAN_ENCODE="no"],[])
-
-    ## Report szip encoder test results
-    if test "X$CAN_ENCODE" = "Xyes"; then
+    ]])],[
         AC_MSG_RESULT([yes])
-    fi
-    if test "X$CAN_ENCODE" = "Xno"; then
+        CAN_ENCODE="yes"
+    ],[
         AC_MSG_RESULT([no])
-    fi
+        CAN_ENCODE="no"
+    ],[
+        AC_MSG_RESULT([cross compiling. guessing yes])
+        CAN_ENCODE="yes"
+    ])
 
     ## Add "szip" to external filter list
     if test "X$CAN_ENCODE" = "Xyes"; then