diff --git a/include/toplevel.mk b/include/toplevel.mk
index 4c9b85c211..9a60139329 100644
--- a/include/toplevel.mk
+++ b/include/toplevel.mk
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ unexport QUILT_PATCHES QUILT_PATCH_OPTS
 
 unexport C_INCLUDE_PATH
 
+# prevent distro default LPATH from interfering
+unexport LPATH
+
 # make sure that a predefined CFLAGS variable does not disturb packages
 export CFLAGS=