diff --git a/package/util-linux/util-linux.mk b/package/util-linux/util-linux.mk
index 4db1e524e5..a694f3d487 100644
--- a/package/util-linux/util-linux.mk
+++ b/package/util-linux/util-linux.mk
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ HOST_UTIL_LINUX_CONF_OPT += \
 	--disable-login --disable-mount --disable-partx \
 	--disable-pivot_root --disable-rename --disable-schedutils \
 	--disable-su --disable-switch_root --disable-unshare \
-	--disable-uuidd --disable-wall
+	--disable-uuidd --disable-wall --without-ncurses
 
 # Avoid building the tools if they are disabled since we can't install on
 # a per-directory basis.