diff --git a/configure.in b/configure.in
index 087d7c3825..445048f684 100644
--- a/configure.in
+++ b/configure.in
@@ -2707,6 +2707,9 @@ if test "$ol_link_perl" != no ; then
 fi
 
 if test "$ol_enable_shell" != no ; then
+	if( "$ol_link_thread" != no ; then
+		AC_MSG_WARN([Use of --without-threads is recommended with back-shell])
+	fi
 	AC_DEFINE(SLAPD_SHELL,1,[define to support SHELL backend])
 	BUILD_SLAPD=yes
 	BUILD_SHELL=yes