diff --git a/package/xinetd/Config.in b/package/xinetd/Config.in
index f509905f1c..9637016f7e 100644
--- a/package/xinetd/Config.in
+++ b/package/xinetd/Config.in
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ config BR2_PACKAGE_XINETD
 	bool "xinetd"
 	depends on BR2_USE_MMU # fork()
 	depends on !BR2_TOOLCHAIN_USES_UCLIBC # no ecvt/fcvt
+	select BR2_PACKAGE_LIBTIRPC_RPCDB if BR2_PACKAGE_LIBTIRPC
 	help
 	  xinetd is a secure replacement for inetd. It was originally
 	  written by panos@cs.colorado.edu.