diff --git a/target/ext2/ext2root.mk b/target/ext2/ext2root.mk
index 6e2e02a659..845773f8a1 100644
--- a/target/ext2/ext2root.mk
+++ b/target/ext2/ext2root.mk
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ $(GENEXT2_DIR)/.configured: $(GENEXT2_DIR)/.unpacked
 	chmod a+x $(GENEXT2_DIR)/configure
 	(cd $(GENEXT2_DIR); rm -rf config.cache; \
 		./configure \
+		CC="$(HOSTCC)" \
 		--prefix=$(STAGING_DIR) \
 	);
 	touch  $(GENEXT2_DIR)/.configured