diff --git a/net/frr/Makefile b/net/frr/Makefile
index 41ae44bc12..40cdd200e4 100644
--- a/net/frr/Makefile
+++ b/net/frr/Makefile
@@ -164,6 +164,9 @@ HOST_CPPFLAGS += -I$(STAGING_DIR_HOST)/include/libelf
 HOST_CONFIGURE_ARGS+= \
 	--enable-clippy-only
 
+HOST_MAKE_FLAGS = \
+        LIBS+='-lz'
+
 define Host/Install
 	$(INSTALL_DIR) $(STAGING_DIR_HOSTPKG)/bin
 	$(INSTALL_BIN) $(HOST_BUILD_DIR)/lib/clippy $(STAGING_DIR_HOSTPKG)/bin/