diff --git a/package/zlib/zlib.mk b/package/zlib/zlib.mk
index d00ca75c03..53eb84e150 100644
--- a/package/zlib/zlib.mk
+++ b/package/zlib/zlib.mk
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ define ZLIB_BUILD_CMDS
 endef
 
 define HOST_ZLIB_BUILD_CMDS
-	$(MAKE1) -C $(@D)
+	$(HOST_MAKE_ENV) $(MAKE1) -C $(@D)
 endef
 
 define ZLIB_INSTALL_STAGING_CMDS
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ ZLIB_POST_INSTALL_STAGING_HOOKS += ZLIB_RM_STATIC_STAGING
 endif
 
 define HOST_ZLIB_INSTALL_CMDS
-	$(MAKE1) -C $(@D) LDCONFIG=true install
+	$(HOST_MAKE_ENV) $(MAKE1) -C $(@D) LDCONFIG=true install
 endef
 
 $(eval $(generic-package))