diff --git a/package/mono/mono.mk b/package/mono/mono.mk
index df67c336b..baf205a27 100644
--- a/package/mono/mono.mk
+++ b/package/mono/mono.mk
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ HOST_MONO_CONF_OPTS += \
 	--with-profile4=$(if $(BR2_PACKAGE_MONO_40),yes,no) \
 	--with-profile4_5=$(if $(BR2_PACKAGE_MONO_45),yes,no)
 
-HOST_MONO_MAKE_OPTS += EXTERNAL_MCS="$(@D)/mcs/class/lib/monolite/basic.exe"
+# ensure monolite is used
+HOST_MONO_MAKE_OPTS += EXTERNAL_MCS=false
 
 HOST_MONO_DEPENDENCIES = host-monolite host-gettext