diff --git a/src/mrw/checkcxx11.hxx b/src/mrw/checkcxx11.hxx
index 22e4766..c104a6a 100644
--- a/src/mrw/checkcxx11.hxx
+++ b/src/mrw/checkcxx11.hxx
@@ -71,6 +71,14 @@ namespace std {
 #      warning trying standard C++11 support
 #    endif
 #  elif __APPLE__
+     /// Code is compiled with an old non C++11 standard compliant compiler
+     /** There are workarounds for old non C++11 compatible
+         compilers. These workarounds are deprecated, but will remain
+         until most compilers fully support C++11. So this workaround
+         will be removed in future releases, when support for C++11 is
+         more common. Only rely on this workaround, if you really have
+         to. */
+#    define MRW__OLD_PRE11_COMPILER
 #    warning you need a C++11 compliant compiler, on gcc: add -std=c++11
 #    warning emulating C++11 - this changes the way you use the library
 #    warning this is deprecated and will be removed in future releases
@@ -86,11 +94,6 @@ namespace std {
            explicit shared_ptr(T* p): tr1::shared_ptr<T>(p) {}
        };
      }
-#  else
-#    ifdef __APPLE__
-#      error hidden apple?
-#    endif
-#    warning found C++11 support, everything is fine
 #  endif
 
 #endif