diff --git a/meta/conf/bitbake.conf b/meta/conf/bitbake.conf
index e614057cb8..b564a5bcad 100644
--- a/meta/conf/bitbake.conf
+++ b/meta/conf/bitbake.conf
@@ -574,6 +574,9 @@ IMAGE_ROOTFS_SIZE_ext3.gz ?= "65536"
 # MACHINE don't change the path to the cache
 CACHE := "${CACHE}"
 
+# Default to disabling packaged staging code
+export PSTAGING_ACTIVE = "0"
+
 ##################################################################
 # Magic Cookie for SANITY CHECK
 ##################################################################