diff --git a/package/zlib-ng/zlib-ng.mk b/package/zlib-ng/zlib-ng.mk
index 098dfcb28a..3b27574a79 100644
--- a/package/zlib-ng/zlib-ng.mk
+++ b/package/zlib-ng/zlib-ng.mk
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ ZLIB_NG_INSTALL_STAGING = YES
 ZLIB_NG_PROVIDES = zlib
 
 # Build with zlib compatible API, gzFile support and optimizations on
-ZLIB_NG_CONF_OPTS += -DZLIB_COMPAT=1 -DWITH_GZFILEOP=1 -DWITH_OPTIM=1 -DCC=$(TARGET_CC)
+ZLIB_NG_CONF_OPTS += -DZLIB_COMPAT=1 -DWITH_GZFILEOP=1 -DWITH_OPTIM=1
 
 # Enable NEON and ACLE on ARM
 ifeq ($(BR2_arm),y)