diff --git a/package/vlc/vlc.mk b/package/vlc/vlc.mk
index 458fe1cbbb..73b378c8c2 100644
--- a/package/vlc/vlc.mk
+++ b/package/vlc/vlc.mk
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ VLC_CONF_OPT += \
 	--disable-quicksync \
 	--disable-fluidsynth \
 	--disable-zvbi \
-	--disable-libass \
 	--disable-kate \
 	--disable-caca \
 	--disable-jack \
@@ -100,6 +99,13 @@ else
 VLC_CONF_OPT += --disable-opus
 endif
 
+ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_LIBASS),y)
+VLC_CONF_OPT += --enable-libass
+VLC_DEPENDENCIES += libass
+else
+VLC_CONF_OPT += --disable-libass
+endif
+
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_LIBGCRYPT),y)
 VLC_CONF_OPT += --enable-libgcrypt
 VLC_DEPENDENCIES += libgcrypt