diff --git a/utils/pgsql2sqlite/build.py b/utils/pgsql2sqlite/build.py
index e29eb5752..4cf14c3e3 100644
--- a/utils/pgsql2sqlite/build.py
+++ b/utils/pgsql2sqlite/build.py
@@ -47,6 +47,12 @@ libraries = []
 boost_program_options = 'boost_program_options%s' % env['BOOST_APPEND']
 libraries.extend([boost_program_options,'sqlite3','pq','mapnik','icuuc'])
 
+if env.get('BOOST_LIB_VERSION_FROM_HEADER'):
+    boost_version_from_header = int(env['BOOST_LIB_VERSION_FROM_HEADER'].split('_')[1])
+    if boost_version_from_header >= 50:
+        boost_system = 'boost_system%s' % env['BOOST_APPEND']
+        libraries.extend([boost_system])
+
 linkflags = env['CUSTOM_LDFLAGS']
 if env['SQLITE_LINKFLAGS']:
     linkflags.append(env['SQLITE_LINKFLAGS'])