diff --git a/shutils/install_funcs.sh b/shutils/install_funcs.sh
index 212caae8c19..994c23e9448 100644
--- a/shutils/install_funcs.sh
+++ b/shutils/install_funcs.sh
@@ -74,7 +74,9 @@ install_src_phase()
 	run_func post_install
 
 	# Remove libtool archives from pkg destdir.
-	find ${DESTDIR} -type f -name \*.la -delete
+	if [ -n "$libtool_no_delete_archives" ]; then
+		find ${DESTDIR} -type f -name \*.la -delete
+	fi
 
 	# unset cross compiler vars.
 	[ -n "$cross_compiler" ] && cross_compile_unsetvars
diff --git a/shutils/tmpl_funcs.sh b/shutils/tmpl_funcs.sh
index 422f2a71ecb..2e569903975 100644
--- a/shutils/tmpl_funcs.sh
+++ b/shutils/tmpl_funcs.sh
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ reset_tmpl_vars()
 			only_for_archs patch_args conf_files keep_dirs \
 			noarch subpackages sourcepkg gtk_iconcache_dirs \
 			abi_depends api_depends triggers openrc_services \
+			libtool_no_delete_archives \
 			XBPS_EXTRACT_DONE XBPS_CONFIGURE_DONE \
 			XBPS_BUILD_DONE XBPS_INSTALL_DONE FILESDIR DESTDIR \
 			SRCPKGDESTDIR"