diff --git a/package/socat/Config.in b/package/socat/Config.in
index c47828251b..ec69c96430 100644
--- a/package/socat/Config.in
+++ b/package/socat/Config.in
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_SOCAT
 	bool "socat"
 	depends on BR2_TOOLCHAIN_HAS_THREADS
+	depends on BR2_USE_MMU # fork()
 	help
 	  Multipurpose socket relay program.