diff --git a/Makefile.dep b/Makefile.dep
index bdb81e4c8d34..398808c66933 100644
--- a/Makefile.dep
+++ b/Makefile.dep
@@ -6,6 +6,11 @@ ifneq (,$(filter libcoap,$(USEPKG)))
     USEMODULE += gnrc_conn_udp
 endif
 
+ifneq (,$(filter ccn-lite,$(USEPKG)))
+    export CFLAGS += -DCCNL_RIOT
+endif
+
+
 ifneq (,$(filter nhdp,$(USEMODULE)))
   USEMODULE += conn_udp
   USEMODULE += xtimer
diff --git a/pkg/ccn-lite/ccn-lite-riot.h b/pkg/ccn-lite/ccn-lite-riot.h
index 11ac9d53720f..be164bfe1eea 100644
--- a/pkg/ccn-lite/ccn-lite-riot.h
+++ b/pkg/ccn-lite/ccn-lite-riot.h
@@ -19,11 +19,6 @@
  * @{
  */
 
-/**
- * Use RIOT specific configuration in CCN-Lite
- */
-#define CCNL_RIOT
-
 #include <unistd.h>
 #include "kernel_types.h"
 #include "arpa/inet.h"