diff --git a/external/lib/Makefile b/external/lib/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..87fda531a3fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/external/lib/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#	$NetBSD: Makefile,v 1.1 2008/05/22 14:12:21 lukem Exp $
+
+#
+# This Makefile exists to provide a single point to build
+# all libraries provided by external packages that may
+# be used by other applications in the system.
+#
+
+.include <bsd.own.mk>
+
+.if (${MKLDAP} != "no")
+SUBDIR+= ../bsd/openldap/lib
+.endif
+
+.include <bsd.subdir.mk>