diff --git a/package/ncmpc/ncmpc.mk b/package/ncmpc/ncmpc.mk
index 0c9dfd4658..6bce627562 100644
--- a/package/ncmpc/ncmpc.mk
+++ b/package/ncmpc/ncmpc.mk
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ NCMPC_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING
 
 NCMPC_CONF_OPTS += \
 	--prefix=/usr \
+	-Dcurses=ncurses \
 	--buildtype $(if $(BR2_ENABLE_DEBUG),debug,release) \
 	--cross-file $(HOST_DIR)/etc/meson/cross-compilation.conf