ncurses can't find libraries

["Thomas H. George,,," <georgeacct@spininternet.com>]

I can't use make menuconfig to build a kernel as the setup fails with a 
message that ncurses can't find libraries.  I have verified that 
ncurses-bin, ncurses-base, ncurses-term and libncurses5 are installed 
and have even reinstalled them without solving the problem.

Fortunately, make xconfig works fine so I have no real cause for 
complaint.  Still, on general principles, I would like to fix the problem.

Any suggestions?