diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py
index 0b974ebc2a..5e90d22180 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/build.py
@@ -281,6 +281,7 @@ def exec_task(task, d):
         data.setVar('OVERRIDES', 'task-%s:%s' % (task[3:], old_overrides), localdata)
         data.update_data(localdata)
         data.expandKeys(localdata)
+        data.setVar('BB_CURRENTTASK', task[3:], d)
         event.fire(TaskStarted(task, localdata), localdata)
         prefuncs = (data.getVarFlag(task, 'prefuncs', localdata) or "").split()
         for func in prefuncs: