diff --git a/src/audio_call.c b/src/audio_call.c
index aa57f9a..d8af93c 100644
--- a/src/audio_call.c
+++ b/src/audio_call.c
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@
 #else
 #include <AL/al.h>
 #include <AL/alc.h>
+/* compatibility with older versions of OpenAL */
+#ifndef ALC_ALL_DEVICES_SPECIFIER
+#include <AL/alext.h>
+#endif
 #endif
 
 #define _cbend pthread_exit(NULL)
diff --git a/src/device.c b/src/device.c
index 5c6c705..16114de 100644
--- a/src/device.c
+++ b/src/device.c
@@ -35,6 +35,10 @@
 #else
 #include <AL/al.h>
 #include <AL/alc.h>
+/* compatibility with older versions of OpenAL */
+#ifndef ALC_ALL_DEVICES_SPECIFIER
+#include <AL/alext.h>
+#endif
 #endif
 
 #include <string.h>
diff --git a/src/notify.c b/src/notify.c
index 8dcb70b..612da36 100644
--- a/src/notify.c
+++ b/src/notify.c
@@ -43,6 +43,10 @@
     #else
         #include <AL/al.h>
         #include <AL/alc.h>
+        /* compatibility with older versions of OpenAL */
+        #ifndef ALC_ALL_DEVICES_SPECIFIER
+            #include <AL/alext.h>
+        #endif
         #ifdef _SOUND_NOTIFY
             #include <AL/alut.h> /* freealut packet */
         #endif