diff --git a/toolchain/toolchain-common.in b/toolchain/toolchain-common.in
index ff667c0b25..dae34ab598 100644
--- a/toolchain/toolchain-common.in
+++ b/toolchain/toolchain-common.in
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ config BR2_TOOLCHAIN_SUPPORTS_PIE
 
 config BR2_ENABLE_LOCALE_PURGE
 	bool "Purge unwanted locales"
+	default y
 	help
 	  Explicitly specify what locales to install on target. If N
 	  then all locales supported by packages are installed.