diff --git a/package/czmq/czmq.mk b/package/czmq/czmq.mk
index d25bf01c6..789e70027 100644
--- a/package/czmq/czmq.mk
+++ b/package/czmq/czmq.mk
@@ -18,6 +18,12 @@ CZMQ_LICENSE_FILES = LICENSE
 # host-python, so disable asciidoc entirely.
 CZMQ_CONF_ENV = ac_cv_prog_czmq_have_asciidoc=no
 
+# zeromq uses C++, but czmq forgets to explicitly link with libstdc++
+# (or use g++ to link), breaking static linking.
+ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
+CZMQ_CONF_ENV += LIBS='-lstdc++'
+endif
+
 define CZMQ_CREATE_CONFIG_DIR
 	mkdir -p $(@D)/config
 endef