diff --git a/Doc/using/configure.rst b/Doc/using/configure.rst
index 22a10db976c4fc..fd20ff2cb89810 100644
--- a/Doc/using/configure.rst
+++ b/Doc/using/configure.rst
@@ -1087,6 +1087,32 @@ Libraries options
 
    .. versionadded:: 3.10
 
+.. option:: --with-curses=ncursesw|ncurses|curses
+
+   Designate a backend library for the :mod:`curses` and :mod:`curses.panel`
+   modules.
+
+   * ``ncursesw``: Use the wide-character ``libncursesw`` (and ``libpanelw``),
+     found via ``pkg-config``.
+   * ``ncurses``: Use ``libncurses`` (and ``libpanel``), found via
+     ``pkg-config``.
+   * ``curses``: Use the system's native ``libcurses`` (and ``libpanel``), such
+     as on NetBSD or Solaris.  It is built with wide-character support when the
+     library provides it.
+
+   Without this option (or with ``--with-curses=auto``, the default), Python
+   tries ``ncursesw`` and then ``ncurses``; the native ``curses`` is used only
+   when requested explicitly.
+
+   .. versionadded:: next
+
+.. option:: --without-curses
+
+   Don't build the :mod:`curses` and :mod:`curses.panel` modules, even when a
+   curses library is present (built by default when one is found).
+
+   .. versionadded:: next
+
 .. option:: --with-libm=STRING
 
    Override ``libm`` math library to *STRING* (default is system-dependent).
diff --git a/Doc/whatsnew/3.16.rst b/Doc/whatsnew/3.16.rst
index e6565b186a598c..0b08d0d0d12d98 100644
--- a/Doc/whatsnew/3.16.rst
+++ b/Doc/whatsnew/3.16.rst
@@ -768,6 +768,15 @@ Build changes
 
   (Contributed by Stefano Rivera in :gh:`131372`.)
 
+* Add the :option:`--with-curses` :program:`configure` option to select the
+  curses backend for the :mod:`curses` and :mod:`curses.panel` modules.
+  In addition to ``ncursesw`` and ``ncurses``, it can now build against the
+  system's native ``curses`` library (for example on NetBSD or Solaris), with
+  wide-character support when the library provides it.  :option:`--without-curses`
+  excludes the modules from the build.
+
+  (Contributed by Serhiy Storchaka in :gh:`136687`.)
+
 
 C API changes
 =============
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Build/2026-07-18-14-30-12.gh-issue-136687.teaPCG.rst b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Build/2026-07-18-14-30-12.gh-issue-136687.teaPCG.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..a2c7a86f4430be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Build/2026-07-18-14-30-12.gh-issue-136687.teaPCG.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+Add the :option:`--with-curses` option to :program:`configure` to select the
+curses backend (``ncursesw``, ``ncurses`` or the system's native ``curses``) or,
+as :option:`--without-curses`, to exclude the :mod:`curses` and
+:mod:`curses.panel` modules from the build.
diff --git a/configure b/configure
index c8494891087d04..9061cf905119c4 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -1147,6 +1147,7 @@ enable_big_digits
 with_platlibdir
 with_wheel_pkg_dir
 with_readline
+with_curses
 with_computed_gotos
 with_tail_call_interp
 with_remote_debug
@@ -1969,6 +1970,10 @@ Optional Packages:
                           (default: none)
   --with(out)-readline[=editline|readline|no]
                           use libedit for backend or disable readline module
+  --with(out)-curses[=ncursesw|ncurses|curses|no]
+                          select the curses backend for the curses and
+                          _curses_panel modules, or disable them (default:
+                          auto)
   --with-computed-gotos   enable computed gotos in evaluation loop (enabled by
                           default on supported compilers)
   --with-tail-call-interp enable tail-calling interpreter in evaluation loop
@@ -29281,26 +29286,777 @@ fi
 have_curses=no
 have_panel=no
 
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for --with-curses" >&5
+printf %s "checking for --with-curses... " >&6; }
+
+# Check whether --with-curses was given.
+if test ${with_curses+y}
+then :
+  withval=$with_curses; case $with_curses in #(
+  yes|auto) :
+    with_curses=auto ;; #(
+  ncursesw|ncurses|curses|no) :
+     ;; #(
+  *) :
+    as_fn_error $? "proper usage is --with(out)-curses[=ncursesw|ncurses|curses|no]" "$LINENO" 5 ;;
+esac
+else case e in #(
+  e) with_curses=auto ;;
+esac
+fi
+
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: $with_curses" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "$with_curses" >&6; }
+
+
+
+# Detect the selected backend.  ncursesw/ncurses are found via pkg-config;
+# native curses has no .pc file and is left to the header/link probes below.
+# curses_libs/panel_libs drive the AC_SEARCH_LIBS fallback; for "no" they are
+# empty so nothing links and have_curses stays "no".
+case $with_curses in #(
+  ncursesw) :
+
+
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for ncursesw" >&5
+printf %s "checking for ncursesw... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$CURSES_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS="$CURSES_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"ncursesw\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "ncursesw") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "ncursesw" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$CURSES_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS="$CURSES_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"ncursesw\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "ncursesw") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "ncursesw" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                CURSES_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "ncursesw" 2>&1`
+        else
+                CURSES_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "ncursesw" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$CURSES_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
+        have_curses=no
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+        have_curses=no
+else
+        CURSES_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS
+        CURSES_LIBS=$pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+
+printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_NCURSESW 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+   have_curses=yes
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for panelw" >&5
+printf %s "checking for panelw... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"panelw\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "panelw") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "panelw" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"panelw\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "panelw") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "panelw" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "panelw" 2>&1`
+        else
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "panelw" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for gnupanel" >&5
+printf %s "checking for gnupanel... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        else
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
+        have_panel=no
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+        have_panel=no
+else
+        PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
+        PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+        have_panel=yes
+fi
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for gnupanel" >&5
+printf %s "checking for gnupanel... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        else
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
+        have_panel=no
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+        have_panel=no
+else
+        PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
+        PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+        have_panel=yes
+fi
+else
+        PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
+        PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+
+printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_PANELW 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+     have_panel=yes
+fi
+fi
+
+
+               curses_libs="ncursesw"; panel_libs="panelw gnupanel" ;; #(
+  ncurses) :
+
+
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for ncurses" >&5
+printf %s "checking for ncurses... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$CURSES_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS="$CURSES_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"ncurses\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "ncurses") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "ncurses" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$CURSES_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS="$CURSES_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"ncurses\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "ncurses") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "ncurses" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                CURSES_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "ncurses" 2>&1`
+        else
+                CURSES_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "ncurses" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$CURSES_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
+        have_curses=no
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+        have_curses=no
+else
+        CURSES_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS
+        CURSES_LIBS=$pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+
+printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_NCURSES 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+   have_curses=yes
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for panel" >&5
+printf %s "checking for panel... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"panel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "panel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "panel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"panel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "panel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "panel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "panel" 2>&1`
+        else
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "panel" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for gnupanel" >&5
+printf %s "checking for gnupanel... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        else
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
+        have_panel=no
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+        have_panel=no
+else
+        PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
+        PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+        have_panel=yes
+fi
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for gnupanel" >&5
+printf %s "checking for gnupanel... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        else
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
+        have_panel=no
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+        have_panel=no
+else
+        PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
+        PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+        have_panel=yes
+fi
+else
+        PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
+        PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+
+printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_PANEL 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+     have_panel=yes
+fi
+fi
+
+
+               curses_libs="ncurses"; panel_libs="panel gnupanel" ;; #(
+  curses) :
+    curses_libs="curses"; panel_libs="panel" ;; #(
+  no) :
+    curses_libs=""; panel_libs="" ;; #(
+  *) :
+
+
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for ncursesw" >&5
+printf %s "checking for ncursesw... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$CURSES_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS="$CURSES_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"ncursesw\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "ncursesw") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "ncursesw" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$CURSES_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS="$CURSES_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"ncursesw\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "ncursesw") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "ncursesw" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                CURSES_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "ncursesw" 2>&1`
+        else
+                CURSES_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "ncursesw" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$CURSES_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
+        have_curses=no
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+        have_curses=no
+else
+        CURSES_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS
+        CURSES_LIBS=$pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+
+printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_NCURSESW 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+   have_curses=yes
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for panelw" >&5
+printf %s "checking for panelw... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"panelw\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "panelw") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "panelw" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"panelw\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "panelw") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "panelw" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
 
 
-# Check for ncursesw/panelw first. If that fails, try ncurses/panel.
 
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "panelw" 2>&1`
+        else
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "panelw" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
 
 
 pkg_failed=no
-{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for ncursesw" >&5
-printf %s "checking for ncursesw... " >&6; }
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for gnupanel" >&5
+printf %s "checking for gnupanel... " >&6; }
 
-if test -n "$CURSES_CFLAGS"; then
-    pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS="$CURSES_CFLAGS"
+if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
  elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
     if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
-    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"ncursesw\""; } >&5
-  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "ncursesw") 2>&5
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
   ac_status=$?
   printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
   test $ac_status = 0; }; then
-  pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "ncursesw" 2>/dev/null`
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
 		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
 else
   pkg_failed=yes
@@ -29308,16 +30064,16 @@ fi
  else
     pkg_failed=untried
 fi
-if test -n "$CURSES_LIBS"; then
-    pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS="$CURSES_LIBS"
+if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
  elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
     if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
-    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"ncursesw\""; } >&5
-  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "ncursesw") 2>&5
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
   ac_status=$?
   printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
   test $ac_status = 0; }; then
-  pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "ncursesw" 2>/dev/null`
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
 		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
 else
   pkg_failed=yes
@@ -29338,42 +30094,43 @@ else
         _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
 fi
         if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
-                CURSES_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "ncursesw" 2>&1`
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
         else
-                CURSES_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "ncursesw" 2>&1`
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
         fi
         # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
-        echo "$CURSES_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+        echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
 
-        have_curses=no
+        have_panel=no
 elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
         { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
 printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
-        have_curses=no
+        have_panel=no
 else
-        CURSES_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_CURSES_CFLAGS
-        CURSES_LIBS=$pkg_cv_CURSES_LIBS
+        PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
+        PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
         { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
 printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
-
-printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_NCURSESW 1" >>confdefs.h
-
-   have_curses=yes
+        have_panel=yes
+fi
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
 
 pkg_failed=no
-{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for panelw" >&5
-printf %s "checking for panelw... " >&6; }
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for gnupanel" >&5
+printf %s "checking for gnupanel... " >&6; }
 
 if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
     pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
  elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
     if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
-    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"panelw\""; } >&5
-  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "panelw") 2>&5
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
   ac_status=$?
   printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
   test $ac_status = 0; }; then
-  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "panelw" 2>/dev/null`
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
 		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
 else
   pkg_failed=yes
@@ -29385,12 +30142,12 @@ if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
     pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
  elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
     if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
-    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"panelw\""; } >&5
-  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "panelw") 2>&5
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
   ac_status=$?
   printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
   test $ac_status = 0; }; then
-  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "panelw" 2>/dev/null`
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
 		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
 else
   pkg_failed=yes
@@ -29411,9 +30168,9 @@ else
         _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
 fi
         if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
-                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "panelw" 2>&1`
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
         else
-                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "panelw" 2>&1`
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
         fi
         # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
         echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
@@ -29423,6 +30180,13 @@ elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
         { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
 printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
         have_panel=no
+else
+        PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
+        PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+        have_panel=yes
+fi
 else
         PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
         PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
@@ -29436,7 +30200,7 @@ fi
 fi
 
 
-if test "x$have_curses" = xno
+   if test "x$have_curses" = xno
 then :
 
 
@@ -29572,11 +30336,151 @@ fi
         # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
         echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
 
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for gnupanel" >&5
+printf %s "checking for gnupanel... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        else
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
+        have_panel=no
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+        have_panel=no
+else
+        PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
+        PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+        have_panel=yes
+fi
+elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+pkg_failed=no
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking for gnupanel" >&5
+printf %s "checking for gnupanel... " >&6; }
+
+if test -n "$PANEL_CFLAGS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS="$PANEL_CFLAGS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS=`$PKG_CONFIG --cflags "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+if test -n "$PANEL_LIBS"; then
+    pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS="$PANEL_LIBS"
+ elif test -n "$PKG_CONFIG"; then
+    if test -n "$PKG_CONFIG" && \
+    { { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors \"gnupanel\""; } >&5
+  ($PKG_CONFIG --exists --print-errors "gnupanel") 2>&5
+  ac_status=$?
+  printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  test $ac_status = 0; }; then
+  pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS=`$PKG_CONFIG --libs "gnupanel" 2>/dev/null`
+		      test "x$?" != "x0" && pkg_failed=yes
+else
+  pkg_failed=yes
+fi
+ else
+    pkg_failed=untried
+fi
+
+
+
+if test $pkg_failed = yes; then
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
+
+if $PKG_CONFIG --atleast-pkgconfig-version 0.20; then
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=yes
+else
+        _pkg_short_errors_supported=no
+fi
+        if test $_pkg_short_errors_supported = yes; then
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --short-errors --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        else
+                PANEL_PKG_ERRORS=`$PKG_CONFIG --print-errors --cflags --libs "gnupanel" 2>&1`
+        fi
+        # Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
+        echo "$PANEL_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
+
         have_panel=no
 elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
         { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: no" >&5
 printf "%s\n" "no" >&6; }
         have_panel=no
+else
+        PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
+        PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
+        { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: yes" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "yes" >&6; }
+        have_panel=yes
+fi
 else
         PANEL_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_CFLAGS
         PANEL_LIBS=$pkg_cv_PANEL_LIBS
@@ -29591,6 +30495,8 @@ fi
 
 
 fi
+   curses_libs="ncursesw ncurses"; panel_libs="panelw panel gnupanel" ;;
+esac
 
 save_CFLAGS=$CFLAGS
 save_CPPFLAGS=$CPPFLAGS
@@ -29598,9 +30504,28 @@ save_LDFLAGS=$LDFLAGS
 save_LIBS=$LIBS
 
 
-  # Make sure we've got the header defines.
+  # Make sure we've got the header defines.  For the native "curses" backend,
+  # probe only the plain headers: a system may also have ncurses headers (e.g.
+  # ncurses/curses.h), and picking those while linking the native library mixes
+  # incompatible declarations (e.g. tparm()) with the native <term.h>.
   as_fn_append CPPFLAGS " $CURSES_CFLAGS $PANEL_CFLAGS"
-  ac_fn_c_check_header_compile "$LINENO" "ncursesw/curses.h" "ac_cv_header_ncursesw_curses_h" "$ac_includes_default"
+  if test "x$with_curses" = xcurses
+then :
+  ac_fn_c_check_header_compile "$LINENO" "curses.h" "ac_cv_header_curses_h" "$ac_includes_default"
+if test "x$ac_cv_header_curses_h" = xyes
+then :
+  printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_CURSES_H 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+fi
+ac_fn_c_check_header_compile "$LINENO" "panel.h" "ac_cv_header_panel_h" "$ac_includes_default"
+if test "x$ac_cv_header_panel_h" = xyes
+then :
+  printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_PANEL_H 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+fi
+
+else case e in #(
+  e) ac_fn_c_check_header_compile "$LINENO" "ncursesw/curses.h" "ac_cv_header_ncursesw_curses_h" "$ac_includes_default"
 if test "x$ac_cv_header_ncursesw_curses_h" = xyes
 then :
   printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_NCURSESW_CURSES_H 1" >>confdefs.h
@@ -29654,7 +30579,9 @@ then :
   printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_PANEL_H 1" >>confdefs.h
 
 fi
-
+ ;;
+esac
+fi
 
   # Check that we're able to link with crucial curses/panel functions. This
   # also serves as a fallback in case pkg-config failed.
@@ -29687,7 +30614,7 @@ return initscr ();
   return 0;
 }
 _ACEOF
-for ac_lib in '' ncursesw ncurses
+for ac_lib in '' $curses_libs
 do
   if test -z "$ac_lib"; then
     ac_res="none required"
@@ -29761,7 +30688,7 @@ return update_panels ();
   return 0;
 }
 _ACEOF
-for ac_lib in '' panelw panel
+for ac_lib in '' $panel_libs
 do
   if test -z "$ac_lib"; then
     ac_res="none required"
@@ -29810,7 +30737,7 @@ fi
 
 
 
-if test "have_curses" != "no"
+if test "$have_curses" != "no"
 then :
 
 CURSES_CFLAGS=$(echo $CURSES_CFLAGS | sed 's/-D_XOPEN_SOURCE=600//g')
@@ -29825,6 +30752,66 @@ fi
 
 PANEL_CFLAGS=$(echo $PANEL_CFLAGS | sed 's/-D_XOPEN_SOURCE=600//g')
 
+if test "x$with_curses" = xcurses
+then :
+
+  { printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: checking whether curses supports wide characters" >&5
+printf %s "checking whether curses supports wide characters... " >&6; }
+if test ${ac_cv_curses_wide+y}
+then :
+  printf %s "(cached) " >&6
+else case e in #(
+  e) cat confdefs.h - <<_ACEOF >conftest.$ac_ext
+/* end confdefs.h.  */
+
+#define NCURSES_OPAQUE 0
+#if defined(HAVE_NCURSESW_NCURSES_H)
+#  include <ncursesw/ncurses.h>
+#elif defined(HAVE_NCURSESW_CURSES_H)
+#  include <ncursesw/curses.h>
+#elif defined(HAVE_NCURSES_NCURSES_H)
+#  include <ncurses/ncurses.h>
+#elif defined(HAVE_NCURSES_CURSES_H)
+#  include <ncurses/curses.h>
+#elif defined(HAVE_NCURSES_H)
+#  include <ncurses.h>
+#elif defined(HAVE_CURSES_H)
+#  include <curses.h>
+#endif
+
+int
+main (void)
+{
+
+        cchar_t wcval;
+        setcchar(&wcval, L"x", A_NORMAL, 0, NULL);
+        add_wch(&wcval);
+
+  ;
+  return 0;
+}
+_ACEOF
+if ac_fn_c_try_link "$LINENO"
+then :
+  ac_cv_curses_wide=yes
+else case e in #(
+  e) ac_cv_curses_wide=no ;;
+esac
+fi
+rm -f core conftest.err conftest.$ac_objext conftest.beam \
+    conftest$ac_exeext conftest.$ac_ext ;;
+esac
+fi
+{ printf "%s\n" "$as_me:${as_lineno-$LINENO}: result: $ac_cv_curses_wide" >&5
+printf "%s\n" "$ac_cv_curses_wide" >&6; }
+      if test "x$ac_cv_curses_wide" = xyes
+then :
+  printf "%s\n" "#define HAVE_NCURSESW 1" >>confdefs.h
+
+fi
+
+fi
+
 # On Solaris, term.h requires curses.h
 ac_fn_c_check_header_compile "$LINENO" "term.h" "ac_cv_header_term_h" "
 #define NCURSES_OPAQUE 0
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index ad8280349466e0..97d2091dbf89a7 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -7088,12 +7088,28 @@ then
 fi
 
 dnl check for ncursesw/ncurses and panelw/panel
-dnl NOTE: old curses is not detected.
 dnl have_curses=[no, yes]
 dnl have_panel=[no, yes]
 have_curses=no
 have_panel=no
 
+dnl Select the curses backend, or disable the curses and _curses_panel modules.
+dnl "auto" (the default) prefers ncursesw and falls back to ncurses, both via
+dnl pkg-config.  "curses" links the system's native curses (e.g. on NetBSD or
+dnl Solaris), which has no pkg-config file and is never chosen by "auto".
+AC_MSG_CHECKING([for --with-curses])
+AC_ARG_WITH(
+  [curses],
+  [AS_HELP_STRING([--with(out)-curses@<:@=ncursesw|ncurses|curses|no@:>@],
+                  [select the curses backend for the curses and _curses_panel
+                   modules, or disable them (default: auto)])],
+  [AS_CASE([$with_curses],
+     [yes|auto], [with_curses=auto],
+     [ncursesw|ncurses|curses|no], [],
+     [AC_MSG_ERROR([proper usage is --with(out)-curses@<:@=ncursesw|ncurses|curses|no@:>@])])],
+  [with_curses=auto])
+AC_MSG_RESULT([$with_curses])
+
 dnl PY_CHECK_CURSES(LIBCURSES, LIBPANEL)
 dnl Sets 'have_curses' and 'have_panel'.
 dnl For the PKG_CHECK_MODULES() calls, we can safely reuse the first variable
@@ -7108,34 +7124,54 @@ PKG_CHECK_MODULES([CURSES], [$1],
    PKG_CHECK_MODULES([PANEL], [$2],
     [AC_DEFINE([HAVE_]panel_var, [1], [Define if you have the '$2' library])
      AS_VAR_SET([have_panel], [yes])],
-    [AS_VAR_SET([have_panel], [no])])],
+    [dnl pkgsrc renames the ncurses panel to "gnupanel" so it does not clash
+     dnl with a system libpanel; it Requires the same ncurses, so it matches.
+     PKG_CHECK_MODULES([PANEL], [gnupanel],
+      [AS_VAR_SET([have_panel], [yes])],
+      [AS_VAR_SET([have_panel], [no])])])],
   [AS_VAR_SET([have_curses], [no])])
 AS_VAR_POPDEF([curses_var])
 AS_VAR_POPDEF([panel_var])])
 
-# Check for ncursesw/panelw first. If that fails, try ncurses/panel.
-PY_CHECK_CURSES([ncursesw], [panelw])
-AS_VAR_IF([have_curses], [no],
-          [PY_CHECK_CURSES([ncurses], [panel])])
+# Detect the selected backend.  ncursesw/ncurses are found via pkg-config;
+# native curses has no .pc file and is left to the header/link probes below.
+# curses_libs/panel_libs drive the AC_SEARCH_LIBS fallback; for "no" they are
+# empty so nothing links and have_curses stays "no".
+AS_CASE([$with_curses],
+  [ncursesw], [PY_CHECK_CURSES([ncursesw], [panelw])
+               curses_libs="ncursesw"; panel_libs="panelw gnupanel"],
+  [ncurses],  [PY_CHECK_CURSES([ncurses], [panel])
+               curses_libs="ncurses"; panel_libs="panel gnupanel"],
+  [curses],   [curses_libs="curses"; panel_libs="panel"],
+  [no],       [curses_libs=""; panel_libs=""],
+  [dnl auto: prefer ncursesw, fall back to ncurses; never native curses.
+   PY_CHECK_CURSES([ncursesw], [panelw])
+   AS_VAR_IF([have_curses], [no], [PY_CHECK_CURSES([ncurses], [panel])])
+   curses_libs="ncursesw ncurses"; panel_libs="panelw panel gnupanel"])
 
 WITH_SAVE_ENV([
-  # Make sure we've got the header defines.
+  # Make sure we've got the header defines.  For the native "curses" backend,
+  # probe only the plain headers: a system may also have ncurses headers (e.g.
+  # ncurses/curses.h), and picking those while linking the native library mixes
+  # incompatible declarations (e.g. tparm()) with the native <term.h>.
   AS_VAR_APPEND([CPPFLAGS], [" $CURSES_CFLAGS $PANEL_CFLAGS"])
-  AC_CHECK_HEADERS(m4_normalize([
-    ncursesw/curses.h ncursesw/ncurses.h ncursesw/panel.h
-    ncurses/curses.h ncurses/ncurses.h ncurses/panel.h
-    curses.h ncurses.h panel.h
-  ]))
+  AS_VAR_IF([with_curses], [curses],
+    [AC_CHECK_HEADERS([curses.h panel.h])],
+    [AC_CHECK_HEADERS(m4_normalize([
+      ncursesw/curses.h ncursesw/ncurses.h ncursesw/panel.h
+      ncurses/curses.h ncurses/ncurses.h ncurses/panel.h
+      curses.h ncurses.h panel.h
+    ]))])
 
   # Check that we're able to link with crucial curses/panel functions. This
   # also serves as a fallback in case pkg-config failed.
   AS_VAR_APPEND([LIBS], [" $CURSES_LIBS $PANEL_LIBS"])
-  AC_SEARCH_LIBS([initscr], [ncursesw ncurses],
+  AC_SEARCH_LIBS([initscr], [$curses_libs],
     [AS_VAR_IF([have_curses], [no],
       [AS_VAR_SET([have_curses], [yes])
        CURSES_LIBS=${CURSES_LIBS-"$ac_cv_search_initscr"}])],
     [AS_VAR_SET([have_curses], [no])])
-  AC_SEARCH_LIBS([update_panels], [panelw panel],
+  AC_SEARCH_LIBS([update_panels], [$panel_libs],
     [AS_VAR_IF([have_panel], [no],
       [AS_VAR_SET([have_panel], [yes])
        PANEL_LIBS=${PANEL_LIBS-"$ac_cv_search_update_panels"}])],
@@ -7163,7 +7199,7 @@ AC_DEFUN([_CURSES_INCLUDES],dnl
 #endif
 ])
 
-AS_IF([test "have_curses" != "no"], [
+AS_IF([test "$have_curses" != "no"], [
 dnl remove _XOPEN_SOURCE macro from curses cflags. pyconfig.h sets
 dnl the macro to 700.
 CURSES_CFLAGS=$(echo $CURSES_CFLAGS | sed 's/-D_XOPEN_SOURCE=600//g')
@@ -7183,6 +7219,27 @@ AS_VAR_IF([ac_sys_system], [Darwin], [
 dnl pyconfig.h defines _XOPEN_SOURCE=700
 PANEL_CFLAGS=$(echo $PANEL_CFLAGS | sed 's/-D_XOPEN_SOURCE=600//g')
 
+dnl Native curses ("curses") may be wide-character capable (e.g. on NetBSD)
+dnl even though it is not ncursesw.  Probe for the wide API; if present, build
+dnl the module against it like ncursesw by defining HAVE_NCURSESW.  ncursesw
+dnl already defines HAVE_NCURSESW, and ncurses must stay narrow, so only the
+dnl native backend is probed here.
+AS_VAR_IF([with_curses], [curses], [
+  AC_CACHE_CHECK([whether curses supports wide characters],
+    [ac_cv_curses_wide],
+    [AC_LINK_IFELSE(
+      [AC_LANG_PROGRAM([_CURSES_INCLUDES], [[
+        cchar_t wcval;
+        setcchar(&wcval, L"x", A_NORMAL, 0, NULL);
+        add_wch(&wcval);
+      ]])],
+      [ac_cv_curses_wide=yes],
+      [ac_cv_curses_wide=no])])
+  dnl HAVE_NCURSESW marks the wide (cchar_t) curses API; its template comes
+  dnl from the ncursesw pkg-config check above, so no description here.
+  AS_VAR_IF([ac_cv_curses_wide], [yes], [AC_DEFINE([HAVE_NCURSESW], [1])])
+])
+
 # On Solaris, term.h requires curses.h
 AC_CHECK_HEADERS([term.h], [], [], _CURSES_INCLUDES)