diff --git a/package/jq/jq.mk b/package/jq/jq.mk
index dd132768c5..8053e392f2 100644
--- a/package/jq/jq.mk
+++ b/package/jq/jq.mk
@@ -12,4 +12,7 @@ JQ_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING
 # uses c99 specific features
 JQ_CONF_ENV += CFLAGS="$(TARGET_CFLAGS) -std=c99"
 
+# jq explicitly enables maintainer mode, which we don't need/want
+JQ_CONF_OPTS += --disable-maintainer-mode
+
 $(eval $(autotools-package))