diff --git a/package/base-files/Makefile b/package/base-files/Makefile
index e49b18975b..67d1d76223 100644
--- a/package/base-files/Makefile
+++ b/package/base-files/Makefile
@@ -164,6 +164,7 @@ ifneq ($(TARGET_avr32)$(TARGET_coldfire),)
   DEPENDS:=+libgcc
 endif
   URL:=$(LIBC_URL)
+  PKG_FLAGS:=hold essential
 endef