diff --git a/package/exiv2/exiv2.mk b/package/exiv2/exiv2.mk
index f56e861222..bdd40f7f4f 100644
--- a/package/exiv2/exiv2.mk
+++ b/package/exiv2/exiv2.mk
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ EXIV2_INSTALL_STAGING = YES
 
 EXIV2_CONF_OPTS += -DEXIV2_ENABLE_BUILD_SAMPLES=OFF
 
+# The following CMake variable disables a TRY_RUN call in the -pthread
+# test which is not allowed when cross-compiling.
+EXIV2_CONF_OPTS += -DTHREADS_PTHREAD_ARG=OFF
+
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_EXIV2_LENSDATA),)
 EXIV2_CONF_OPTS += -DEXIV2_ENABLE_LENSDATA=OFF
 endif