Coding⏱️ 3 min readπŸ“… 2026-06-11

How to Fix: tmux compilation error in andLinux (Ubuntu)

tmux compilation error in andLinux (Ubuntu) fix

Quick Answer: Try recompiling tmux with the -l option to link against libevent-dev, e.g. make -llibevent-dev

The error message indicates that the compilation of tmux 1.3 on andLinux (Ubuntu Jaunty) is failing due to an undefined reference to 'event_reinit'. This issue affects users who are trying to compile and install tmux on their system. The error can be frustrating for developers and power users who rely on tmux for its functionality.

The compilation error can be resolved by identifying the root cause of the problem, which is typically due to missing dependencies or incorrect library versions. In this case, it's likely that libevent-dev has not been installed correctly or is not compatible with the version of tmux being compiled.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that the andLinux distribution (Ubuntu Jaunty) lacks a recent enough version of libevent-dev to support the compilation of tmux 1.3. The libevent-dev package has undergone significant changes between Ubuntu Hardy (8.04) and Jaunty (9.04), which may have caused compatibility issues.
  • An alternative reason could be that the library versions installed on the system are not compatible with the version of tmux being compiled.

πŸ› οΈ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Installing libevent-dev using a PPA

  1. Step 1: To resolve this issue, add the Ubuntu PPA for libevent-dev to your system. Open a terminal and run the following command: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-toolchain-r/pkgs
  2. Step 2: Update the package index by running the command: sudo apt-get update
  3. Step 3: Install libevent-dev using the command: sudo apt-get install libevent-dev
  4. Step 4: Verify that the installation was successful by checking the output of the command: pkg-config --modversion event

Compiling tmux from source with a different library version

  1. Step 1: To compile tmux using a different library version, download the tmux source code from the official repository and modify the configure script to use a compatible version of libevent-dev. The exact steps will depend on the specific version of libevent-dev you want to use.
  2. Step 2: Change into the directory containing the tmux source code and run the command: ./configure --with-event=libevent-1.7.0

πŸ’‘ Conclusion

By following these steps, users should be able to resolve the compilation error and successfully compile tmux 1.3 on their andLinux system. If you encounter any further issues or have questions about the process, feel free to ask.

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