diff --git a/package/phytool/Config.in b/package/phytool/Config.in
index 7dca31dda2..985468f1f4 100644
--- a/package/phytool/Config.in
+++ b/package/phytool/Config.in
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 config BR2_PACKAGE_PHYTOOL
 	bool "phytool"
+	depends on BR2_TOOLCHAIN_HEADERS_AT_LEAST_3_7 # linux/mdio.h
 	help
 	  Linux MDIO register access utility.
 
 	  https://github.com/wkz/phytool
+
+comment "phytool needs a toolchain w/ headers >= 3.7"
+	depends on !BR2_TOOLCHAIN_HEADERS_AT_LEAST_3_7