diff --git a/include/toplevel.mk b/include/toplevel.mk
index ce744bc92c..455fc9c4da 100644
--- a/include/toplevel.mk
+++ b/include/toplevel.mk
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ endif
 
 SCAN_COOKIE?=$(shell echo $$$$)
 export SCAN_COOKIE
+export STAGING_DIR_HOST=$(TOPDIR)/staging_dir/host
 
 SUBMAKE:=umask 022; $(SUBMAKE)