diff --git a/include/package-defaults.mk b/include/package-defaults.mk
index 6672b67b53..0eecd6c4f8 100644
--- a/include/package-defaults.mk
+++ b/include/package-defaults.mk
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ define Package/Default
   VARIANT:=
   DEFAULT_VARIANT:=
   USERID:=
+  ALTERNATIVES:=
 endef
 
 Build/Patch:=$(Build/Patch/Default)