diff --git a/package/localedef/localedef.mk b/package/localedef/localedef.mk
index 4762e64186..1fe431aac0 100644
--- a/package/localedef/localedef.mk
+++ b/package/localedef/localedef.mk
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ HOST_LOCALEDEF_CONF_OPTS += \
 	--prefix=/usr \
 	--with-glibc=./eglibc
 
+HOST_LOCALEDEF_CONF_ENV = CFLAGS="$(HOST_CFLAGS) -fgnu89-inline"
+
 # The makefile does not implement an install target
 define HOST_LOCALEDEF_INSTALL_CMDS
 	$(INSTALL) -D -m 0755 $(@D)/localedef $(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/localedef