diff --git a/package/kernel/Makefile b/package/kernel/Makefile
index f440a4051b..d3823547aa 100644
--- a/package/kernel/Makefile
+++ b/package/kernel/Makefile
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ include $(TOPDIR)/rules.mk
 include $(INCLUDE_DIR)/kernel.mk
 
 PKG_NAME:=kernel
+PKG_FLAGS:=hold
 
 PKG_BUILD_DIR:=$(KERNEL_BUILD_DIR)/packages
 SCAN_DEPS=modules/*.mk