diff --git a/srcpkgs/file/template b/srcpkgs/file/template
index c215a440c7..b684a9a8ab 100644
--- a/srcpkgs/file/template
+++ b/srcpkgs/file/template
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ revision=1
 conflicts="chroot-file>=0"
 subpackages="libmagic file-devel"
 build_style=gnu-configure
+configure_args="--enable-static"
 makedepends="zlib-devel"
 short_desc="File type identification utility"
 maintainer="Juan RP <xtraeme@gmail.com>"