diff --git a/package/passt/Config.in b/package/passt/Config.in
index a2d2f4f1fe..a93a088670 100644
--- a/package/passt/Config.in
+++ b/package/passt/Config.in
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_PASST
 	bool "passt"
+	depends on BR2_TOOLCHAIN_HEADERS_AT_LEAST_5_0
 	help
 	  passt: Plug A Simple Socket Transport
 	  pasta: Pack A Subtle Tap Abstraction
@@ -17,3 +18,6 @@ config BR2_PACKAGE_PASST
 	  hence not requiring any capabilities or privileges.
 
 	  https://passt.top/passt/about/
+
+comment "passt needs a toolchain w/ headers >= 5.0"
+	depends on !BR2_TOOLCHAIN_HEADERS_AT_LEAST_5_0
diff --git a/package/podman/Config.in b/package/podman/Config.in
index 6bfd477f38..a6554a3ddc 100644
--- a/package/podman/Config.in
+++ b/package/podman/Config.in
@@ -72,8 +72,12 @@ choice
 
 config BR2_PACKAGE_PODMAN_NET_PASST
 	bool "passt/pasta"
+	depends on BR2_TOOLCHAIN_HEADERS_AT_LEAST_5_0  # passt
 	select BR2_PACKAGE_PASST  # runtime
 
+comment "passt/pasta backend needs a toolchain w/ headers >= 5.0"
+	depends on !BR2_TOOLCHAIN_HEADERS_AT_LEAST_5_0
+
 config BR2_PACKAGE_PODMAN_NET_SLIRP4NETNS
 	bool "slirp4netns"
 	select BR2_PACKAGE_SLIRP4NETNS  # runtime