diff --git a/package/utils/ucode/Makefile b/package/utils/ucode/Makefile
index f706ee5d20b..ed5ad350b5e 100644
--- a/package/utils/ucode/Makefile
+++ b/package/utils/ucode/Makefile
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ PKG_MAINTAINER:=Jo-Philipp Wich <jo@mein.io>
 PKG_LICENSE:=ISC
 
 PKG_ABI_VERSION:=20230711
+HOST_BUILD_DEPENDS:=libjson-c/host
 
 include $(INCLUDE_DIR)/package.mk
 include $(INCLUDE_DIR)/host-build.mk