diff --git a/package/netsurf/Config.in b/package/netsurf/Config.in
index 8a301e6218..30b2695309 100644
--- a/package/netsurf/Config.in
+++ b/package/netsurf/Config.in
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
+comment "netsurf needs a toolchain w/ dynamic library"
+	depends on BR2_STATIC_LIBS
+
 config BR2_PACKAGE_NETSURF
 	bool "netsurf"
+	# static linking support is broken beyond repair
+	depends on !BR2_STATIC_LIBS
 	select BR2_PACKAGE_EXPAT
 	select BR2_PACKAGE_JPEG
 	select BR2_PACKAGE_LIBICONV if !BR2_ENABLE_LOCALE