diff --git a/package/libs/openssl/Makefile b/package/libs/openssl/Makefile
index 9c4a39e6a4..95e6cff864 100644
--- a/package/libs/openssl/Makefile
+++ b/package/libs/openssl/Makefile
@@ -194,9 +194,6 @@ define Build/Configure
 			$(OPENSSL_NO_CIPHERS) \
 			$(OPENSSL_OPTIONS) \
 	)
-	# XXX: OpenSSL "make depend" will look for installed headers before its own,
-	# so remove installed stuff first
-	-$(SUBMAKE) -j1 clean-staging
 	+$(MAKE) $(PKG_JOBS) -C $(PKG_BUILD_DIR) \
 		CROSS_COMPILE="$(TARGET_CROSS)" \
 		MAKEDEPPROG="$(TARGET_CROSS)gcc" \