diff --git a/package/boost/Config.in b/package/boost/Config.in
index ac79bb345b..f5369d7cf2 100644
--- a/package/boost/Config.in
+++ b/package/boost/Config.in
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ comment "boost-fiber needs a toolchain not affected by GCC bug 64735, 85180"
 
 config BR2_PACKAGE_BOOST_FILESYSTEM
 	bool "boost-filesystem"
+	select BR2_PACKAGE_BOOST_SYSTEM
 	help
 	  The Boost Filesystem Library provides portable facilities to
 	  query and manipulate paths, files, and directories.