diff --git a/package/libev/libev.mk b/package/libev/libev.mk
index 9f3c19d46c..cbd5433d76 100644
--- a/package/libev/libev.mk
+++ b/package/libev/libev.mk
@@ -10,6 +10,13 @@ LIBEV_INSTALL_STAGING = YES
 LIBEV_LICENSE = BSD-2-Clause or GPL-2.0+
 LIBEV_LICENSE_FILES = LICENSE
 
+# libev has some assembly function that is not present in Thumb mode:
+# Error: selected processor does not support `mcr p15,0,r3,c7,c10,5' in Thumb mode
+# so, we desactivate Thumb mode
+ifeq ($(BR2_ARM_INSTRUCTIONS_THUMB),y)
+LIBEV_CONF_ENV += CFLAGS="$(TARGET_CFLAGS) -marm"
+endif
+
 # The 'compatibility' event.h header conflicts with libevent
 # It's completely unnecessary for BR packages so remove it
 define LIBEV_DISABLE_EVENT_H_INSTALL