diff --git a/package/atftp/atftp.mk b/package/atftp/atftp.mk
index 1d6a7c3632..a018b9d4f1 100644
--- a/package/atftp/atftp.mk
+++ b/package/atftp/atftp.mk
@@ -9,10 +9,15 @@ ATFTP_SITE = http://sourceforge.net/projects/atftp/files/
 ATFTP_LICENSE = GPLv2+
 ATFTP_LICENSE_FILES = LICENSE
 ATFTP_CONF_OPT = --disable-libwrap --disable-mtftp
+# For static we need to explicitly link against libpthread
+ATFTP_LIBS = -lpthread
+ATFTP_CONF_ENV = LIBS="$(ATFTP_LIBS)"
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_READLINE),y)
 ATFTP_DEPENDENCIES += readline
 ATFTP_CONF_OPT += --enable-libreadline
+# For static, readline links with ncurses
+ATFTP_LIBS += -lncurses
 else
 ATFTP_CONF_OPT += --disable-libreadline
 endif