diff --git a/package/autofs/autofs.mk b/package/autofs/autofs.mk
index 0ab8986920..a98e5eb685 100644
--- a/package/autofs/autofs.mk
+++ b/package/autofs/autofs.mk
@@ -11,11 +11,20 @@ AUTOFS_LICENSE = GPLv2+
 AUTOFS_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING COPYRIGHT
 AUTOFS_DEPENDENCIES = host-flex host-bison
 
+# autofs looks on the build machine for the path of modprobe, so tell
+# it explicitly where it will be located on the target.
+AUTOFS_CONF_ENV = \
+	ac_cv_path_MODPROBE=/sbin/modprobe
+
+# instead of looking in the PATH like any reasonable package, autofs
+# configure looks only in an hardcoded search path for host tools,
+# which we have to override with --with-path.
 AUTOFS_CONF_OPTS = \
 	--disable-mount-locking \
 	--enable-ignore-busy \
 	--without-openldap \
-	--without-sasl
+	--without-sasl \
+	--with-path="$(BR_PATH)"
 
 AUTOFS_MAKE_ENV = DONTSTRIP=1