diff --git a/package/zlib/zlib.mk b/package/zlib/zlib.mk
index aec9daf6fe..d00ca75c03 100644
--- a/package/zlib/zlib.mk
+++ b/package/zlib/zlib.mk
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ define HOST_ZLIB_CONFIGURE_CMDS
 endef
 
 define ZLIB_BUILD_CMDS
-	$(MAKE1) -C $(@D)
+	$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $(MAKE1) -C $(@D)
 endef
 
 define HOST_ZLIB_BUILD_CMDS
@@ -52,11 +52,11 @@ define HOST_ZLIB_BUILD_CMDS
 endef
 
 define ZLIB_INSTALL_STAGING_CMDS
-	$(MAKE1) -C $(@D) DESTDIR=$(STAGING_DIR) LDCONFIG=true install
+	$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $(MAKE1) -C $(@D) DESTDIR=$(STAGING_DIR) LDCONFIG=true install
 endef
 
 define ZLIB_INSTALL_TARGET_CMDS
-	$(MAKE1) -C $(@D) DESTDIR=$(TARGET_DIR) LDCONFIG=true install
+	$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $(MAKE1) -C $(@D) DESTDIR=$(TARGET_DIR) LDCONFIG=true install
 endef
 
 # We don't care removing the .a from target, since it not used at link