diff --git a/package/file/file.mk b/package/file/file.mk
index d9a533f4d8..753605698a 100644
--- a/package/file/file.mk
+++ b/package/file/file.mk
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ FILE_VERSION = 5.09
 FILE_SITE = ftp://ftp.astron.com/pub/file/
 FILE_DEPENDENCIES = host-file zlib
 HOST_FILE_DEPENDENCIES = host-zlib
+FILE_INSTALL_STAGING = YES
 
 define FILE_UNINSTALL_TARGET_CMDS
 	$(MAKE) DESTDIR=$(TARGET_DIR) uninstall -C $(FILE_DIR)