diff --git a/package/base-files/Makefile b/package/base-files/Makefile
index 21e1cc5bb3..00a9b354ea 100644
--- a/package/base-files/Makefile
+++ b/package/base-files/Makefile
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ PKG_NAME:=base-files
 PKG_RELEASE:=52
 
 PKG_FILE_DEPENDS:=$(PLATFORM_DIR)/ $(GENERIC_PLATFORM_DIR)/base-files/
+PKG_BUILD_DEPENDS:=opkg/host
 
 include $(INCLUDE_DIR)/package.mk