diff --git a/etc/pkgsrc.conf b/etc/pkgsrc.conf
index c022d2ffd..0a24032eb 100644
--- a/etc/pkgsrc.conf
+++ b/etc/pkgsrc.conf
@@ -46,4 +46,7 @@ RCD_SCRIPTS_DIR=/usr/pkg/etc/rc.d
 # no g- prefix for binutils
 BINUTILS_PROGRAM_PREFIX=
 
+# where to keep binary packages
+PACKAGES=${PKGSRCDIR}/packages/${OS_VERSION}/${MACHINE_ARCH}
+
 .endif            # end pkgsrc settings