diff --git a/package/libsepol/libsepol.mk b/package/libsepol/libsepol.mk
index 93896cf667..c53707a161 100644
--- a/package/libsepol/libsepol.mk
+++ b/package/libsepol/libsepol.mk
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ LIBSEPOL_LICENSE = LGPLv2.1+
 LIBSEPOL_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING
 
 LIBSEPOL_INSTALL_STAGING = YES
+LIBSEPOL_DEPENDENCIES = host-flex
 
 LIBSEPOL_MAKE_FLAGS = $(TARGET_CONFIGURE_OPTS)