diff --git a/package/file/file.mk b/package/file/file.mk
index b7e833e834..c06975460f 100644
--- a/package/file/file.mk
+++ b/package/file/file.mk
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ FILE_LICENSE = BSD-2-Clause, BSD-4-Clause (one file), BSD-3-Clause (one file)
 FILE_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING src/mygetopt.h src/vasprintf.c
 FILE_CPE_ID_VENDOR = file_project
 
+FILE_AUTORECONF = YES
+
 FILE_DEPENDENCIES = host-file
 FILE_CONF_ENV = ac_cv_prog_cc_c99='-std=gnu99'
 FILE_INSTALL_STAGING = YES