diff --git a/config/t8_fortran.m4 b/config/t8_fortran.m4
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b1e452376e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/t8_fortran.m4
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+dnl T8_CHECK_FORTRAN
+dnl This functions checks some properties of Fortran modules and
+dnl whether specific directory for the Fortran module files has been specified or not.
+dnl 
+dnl A directory may be specified by the option --with-moddir=<directory_path>
+dnl This option is only of relevance if the option --enable-fortran has been chosen,
+dnl since only in this case Fortran codes will be compiled 
+dnl
+AC_DEFUN([T8_CHECK_FORTRAN], [
+
+dnl Check if a directory has been specified which will hold the module files
+T8_ARG_WITH([moddir],
+  [if Fortran modules will be built, this option specifies an explicit directory which should hold the module files (use --with-moddir=<desired/path/for/modules>)],
+  [MODDIR])
+
+dnl If Fortran is enabled
+if test "x$T8_ENABLE_FORTRAN" != xno ; then
+
+dnl Check the properties of Fortran modules (after the Fortran Compiler has been found by MPI_ENGAGE)
+AC_FC_MODULE_EXTENSION
+AC_FC_MODULE_FLAG
+AC_FC_MODULE_OUTPUT_FLAG
+
+if test "x$T8_WITH_MODDIR" = xyes ; then
+    dnl The option is given without a directory
+    AC_MSG_ERROR([missing directory path for the module directory])
+elif test "x$T8_WITH_MODDIR" != xno ; then
+    AC_MSG_NOTICE([we have set a module dir var])
+    dnl Substitute the variable in the makefile
+    AC_SUBST(T8_FORTRAN_MODULE_DIR, $T8_WITH_MODDIR)
+fi
+
+fi
+])