diff --git a/srcpkgs/file/template b/srcpkgs/file/template
index e107c7ec039..c788cb6e3a7 100644
--- a/srcpkgs/file/template
+++ b/srcpkgs/file/template
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ revision=2
 conflicts="chroot-file>=0"
 subpackages="libmagic file-devel"
 build_style=gnu-configure
-makedepends="zlib-devel"
+crossmakedepends="zlib-devel"
 short_desc="File type identification utility"
 maintainer="Juan RP <xtraeme@gmail.com>"
 homepage="http://www.darwinsys.com/file/"