diff --git a/package/arptables/Config.in b/package/arptables/Config.in
index 510eedf3b0..414fabb258 100644
--- a/package/arptables/Config.in
+++ b/package/arptables/Config.in
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_ARPTABLES
 	bool "arptables"
+	# needs fork()
+	depends on BR2_USE_MMU
 	help
 	  Tool to set up, maintain, and inspect the tables of ARP rules.