diff --git a/package/libconfuse/libconfuse.mk b/package/libconfuse/libconfuse.mk
index e9a1114ab3..6450270bae 100644
--- a/package/libconfuse/libconfuse.mk
+++ b/package/libconfuse/libconfuse.mk
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ LIBCONFUSE_VERSION = V2_7
 LIBCONFUSE_SITE = $(call github,martinh,libconfuse,$(LIBCONFUSE_VERSION))
 LIBCONFUSE_INSTALL_STAGING = YES
 LIBCONFUSE_CONF_OPT = --disable-rpath
+LIBCONFUSE_DEPENDENCIES = host-flex
 LIBCONFUSE_LICENSE = ISC
 LIBCONFUSE_LICENSE_FILES = src/confuse.c