diff --git a/tests/Makefile.am b/tests/Makefile.am
index dd8bf4f157..fbc59e0c5b 100644
--- a/tests/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/Makefile.am
@@ -447,7 +447,8 @@ commandhelper_LDADD = $(LDADDS)
 
 virnetmessagetest_SOURCES = \
 	virnetmessagetest.c testutils.h testutils.c
-virnetmessagetest_CFLAGS = -Dabs_builddir="\"$(abs_builddir)\"" $(AM_CFLAGS)
+virnetmessagetest_CFLAGS = -Dabs_builddir="\"$(abs_builddir)\"" \
+		$(XDR_CFLAGS) $(AM_CFLAGS)
 virnetmessagetest_LDADD = ../src/libvirt-net-rpc.la $(LDADDS)
 
 virnetsockettest_SOURCES = \