diff --git a/package/pkg-generic.mk b/package/pkg-generic.mk
index cf55101265..0a1e29a04e 100644
--- a/package/pkg-generic.mk
+++ b/package/pkg-generic.mk
@@ -727,6 +727,8 @@ ifeq ($$($(2)_CPE_ID_VALID),YES)
  ifndef $(2)_CPE_ID_UPDATE
   ifdef $(3)_CPE_ID_UPDATE
    $(2)_CPE_ID_UPDATE = $$($(3)_CPE_ID_UPDATE)
+  else
+   $(2)_CPE_ID_UPDATE = -
   endif
  endif