diff --git a/freeimage.spec b/freeimage.spec
index c49a26d..1e28f0c 100644
--- a/freeimage.spec
+++ b/freeimage.spec
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 Name:           freeimage
 Version:        3.17.0
-Release:        2%{?dist}
+Release:        3%{?dist}
 Summary:        Multi-format image decoder library
 
 # freeimage is tripple-licensed, see
@@ -87,8 +87,13 @@ done
 %build
 sh ./gensrclist.sh
 sh ./genfipsrclist.sh
+%ifarch %{power64}
+make -f Makefile.gnu %{?_smp_mflags} CFLAGS="%{optflags} -fPIC" CXXFLAGS="%{optflags} -fPIC" LDFLAGS="%{__global_ldflags}"
+make -f Makefile.fip %{?_smp_mflags} CFLAGS="%{optflags} -fPIC" CXXFLAGS="%{optflags} -fPIC" LDFLAGS="%{__global_ldflags}"
+%else
 make -f Makefile.gnu %{?_smp_mflags} CFLAGS="%{optflags}" CXXFLAGS="%{optflags}" LDFLAGS="%{__global_ldflags}"
 make -f Makefile.fip %{?_smp_mflags} CFLAGS="%{optflags}" CXXFLAGS="%{optflags}" LDFLAGS="%{__global_ldflags}"
+%endif
 
 pushd Wrapper/FreeImagePlus/doc
 doxygen FreeImagePlus.dox
@@ -141,6 +146,9 @@ ldconfig -n %{buildroot}%{_libdir}
 
 
 %changelog
+* Thu Oct 15 2015 Karsten Hopp <karsten@redhat.com> 3.17.0-3
+- ppc64 and ppc64le need -fPIC (rhbz#1272048)
+
 * Wed Sep 30 2015 Sandro Mani <manisandro@gmail.com> - 3.17.0-2
 - Fix under-linked library