diff --git a/support/dependencies/check-host-bison-flex.mk b/support/dependencies/check-host-bison-flex.mk
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..233b6c51cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/support/dependencies/check-host-bison-flex.mk
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+# If the system lacks bison or flex, add
+# dependencies to suitable host packages
+
+ifeq ($(shell which bison 2>/dev/null),)
+BR2_BISON_HOST_DEPENDENCY = host-bison
+endif
+
+ifeq ($(shell which flex 2>/dev/null),)
+BR2_FLEX_HOST_DEPENDENCY = host-flex
+endif