diff --git a/pkg/qr-code-generator/Makefile b/pkg/qr-code-generator/Makefile
index 552929b3aa..0581574a6d 100644
--- a/pkg/qr-code-generator/Makefile
+++ b/pkg/qr-code-generator/Makefile
@@ -7,5 +7,8 @@ include $(RIOTBASE)/pkg/pkg.mk
 
 CFLAGS += -Wno-type-limits
 
+# avoid compilation errors when NDEBUG is defined
+CFLAGS += -Wno-unused-parameter
+
 all:
 	$(QQ)"$(MAKE)" -C $(PKG_SOURCE_DIR)/c -f $(CURDIR)/$(PKG_NAME).mk