diff --git a/package/coreutils/coreutils.mk b/package/coreutils/coreutils.mk
index d312197e7e..a8137d1687 100644
--- a/package/coreutils/coreutils.mk
+++ b/package/coreutils/coreutils.mk
@@ -148,4 +148,18 @@ endef
 endif
 COREUTILS_POST_INSTALL_TARGET_HOOKS += COREUTILS_FIX_CHROOT_LOCATION
 
+# Explicitly install ln and realpath, which we *are* insterested in.
+# A lot of other programs still get installed, however, but disabling
+# them does not gain much at build time, and is a loooong list that is
+# difficult to maintain...
+HOST_COREUTILS_CONF_OPTS = \
+	--disable-acl \
+	--disable-libcap \
+	--disable-rpath \
+	--disable-single-binary \
+	--disable-xattr \
+	--without-gmp \
+	--enable-install-program=ln,realpath
+
 $(eval $(autotools-package))
+$(eval $(host-autotools-package))