diff --git a/package/bash/bash.mk b/package/bash/bash.mk
index 401f1f2fbe..6c7691ff6c 100644
--- a/package/bash/bash.mk
+++ b/package/bash/bash.mk
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ BASH_LICENSE = GPLv3+
 BASH_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING
 
 BASH_CONF_ENV += \
+	ac_cv_rl_prefix="$(STAGING_DIR)" \
 	ac_cv_rl_version="$(READLINE_VERSION)" \
 	bash_cv_job_control_missing=present \
 	bash_cv_sys_named_pipes=present \