--- a/m4/ax_boost_base.m4
+++ b/m4/ax_boost_base.m4
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@
     if test $ax_arch = x86_64 -o $ax_arch = ppc64 -o $ax_arch = ppc64le -o $ax_arch = s390x -o $ax_arch = sparc64 -o $ax_arch = aarch64; then
         libsubdirs="lib64 lib lib64"
     fi
+    case $host_os in linux-*x32) libsubdirs="libx32 lib libx32";; esac
 
     dnl first we check the system location for boost libraries
     dnl this location is chosen if boost libraries are installed with the --layout=system option