diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 1b3fb93..8b9193f 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -121,6 +121,16 @@ AC_CANONICAL_HOST
 
 AC_PROG_MAKE_SET
 
+AC_MSG_CHECKING([if debug is enabled])
+
+if test "X$USE_DEBUG" = "Xyes"; then
+    AC_MSG_RESULT([yes])
+    CFLAGS="$CFLAGS -g"
+    FFLAGS="$FFLAGS -g"
+else
+    AC_MSG_RESULT([no])
+fi
+
 # Determine a C/C++ compiler to use. 
 # If CC is not already set in the environment, check for gcc and cc, then
 # for other C compilers. 
@@ -194,16 +204,6 @@ AC_DEFINE_UNQUOTED(MY_UNAME, "$uname", "")
 ######################## CONFIGURE LINE OPTIONS ###############################
 ###############################################################################
 
-AC_MSG_CHECKING([if debug is enabled])
-
-if test "X$USE_DEBUG" = "Xyes"; then
-    AC_MSG_RESULT([yes])
-    CFLAGS="$CFLAGS -g"
-    FFLAGS="$FFLAGS -g"
-else
-    AC_MSG_RESULT([no])
-fi
-
 ############################ fortran enabled ##################################
 AC_MSG_CHECKING([if C interface enabled])
 if test "X$USE_C" = "Xyes"; then
diff --git a/test/Makefile.am b/test/Makefile.am
index 6b72a73..913dde3 100644
--- a/test/Makefile.am
+++ b/test/Makefile.am
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ SUBDIRS = H5Fed
 
 OBJEXT=o
 
-AM_LDFLAGS = -I../src/include @AM_CPPFLAGS@
+AM_CPPFLAGS = -I../src/include @AM_CPPFLAGS@
 
 noinst_PROGRAMS = @BUILD_TESTS@