diff --git a/conf/layer.conf b/conf/layer.conf
index 0db08957..e5bd2189 100644
--- a/conf/layer.conf
+++ b/conf/layer.conf
@@ -31,3 +31,7 @@ BBFILES_DYNAMIC += " \
 "
 
 require ${LAYERDIR}/conf/include/maintainers.inc
+
+PREFERRED_PROVIDER_zlib ?= "zlib"
+PREFERRED_PROVIDER_zlib-native ?= "zlib-native"
+PREFERRED_PROVIDER_nativesdk-zlib ?= "nativesdk-zlib"