--- a/iflib/lutil.h
+++ b/iflib/lutil.h
@@ -45,4 +45,13 @@ extern int optind;
 #define TCPMODE_TELNET	1	/* EMSI encapsulation through telnet */
 #define TCPMODE_BINKP	2	/* Binkp protocol */
 
+/* for the benefit of Hurd systems, which are too good to have static limits */
+#ifndef MAXHOSTNAMELEN
+#define MAXHOSTNAMELEN 64
+#endif
+
+#ifndef PATH_MAX
+#define PATH_MAX 512
+#endif
+
 #endif /* IFMAIL_LUTIL_H */
