diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 98372ebbfca..b07cd8a6814 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -886,6 +886,7 @@ ifeq ($(uname_S),IRIX)
 	SNPRINTF_RETURNS_BOGUS = YesPlease
 	SHELL_PATH = /usr/gnu/bin/bash
 	NEEDS_LIBGEN = YesPlease
+	NEEDS_LIBICONV = YesPlease
 endif
 ifeq ($(uname_S),IRIX64)
 	NO_SETENV=YesPlease
@@ -904,6 +905,7 @@ ifeq ($(uname_S),IRIX64)
 	SNPRINTF_RETURNS_BOGUS = YesPlease
 	SHELL_PATH=/usr/gnu/bin/bash
 	NEEDS_LIBGEN = YesPlease
+	NEEDS_LIBICONV = YesPlease
 endif
 ifeq ($(uname_S),HP-UX)
 	NO_IPV6=YesPlease