diff --git a/database/postgresql/postgresql.conf b/database/postgresql/postgresql.conf
index 8fcf71f71..25144e823 100644
--- a/database/postgresql/postgresql.conf
+++ b/database/postgresql/postgresql.conf
@@ -71,7 +71,8 @@ postgresqlclient_pm() {
 postgresql_pm() {
 	# Create the data directory
 	mkdir -p $root/$localstatedir/data
-	chown -R postgres:postgres $root/$localstatedir/data
+	# use numerical uid/gid (user/group names are not usable when cross-compiling)
+	chown -R 42:42 $root/$localstatedir/data
 
 	# Create the Profile
 	echo "Creating /etc/profile.d/$pkg ..."