diff --git a/package/omniorb/omniorb.mk b/package/omniorb/omniorb.mk
index aaf3bf3222..1bbde3b7dc 100644
--- a/package/omniorb/omniorb.mk
+++ b/package/omniorb/omniorb.mk
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ HOST_OMNIORB_CONF_OPTS = ac_cv_path_PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python2
 OMNIORB_CONF_OPTS += --disable-longdouble
 HOST_OMNIORB_CONF_OPTS += --disable-longdouble
 
+ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_ZLIB),y)
+OMNIORB_DEPENDENCIES += zlib
+endif
+
 # The EmbeddedSystem define (set below in OMNIORB_ADJUST_TOOLDIR)
 # enables building of just the lib and disables building of
 # tools/apps/services.  In some cases the apps/services are still