diff --git a/patoolib/programs/tar.py b/patoolib/programs/tar.py
index d8d1d36..9b1c423 100644
--- a/patoolib/programs/tar.py
+++ b/patoolib/programs/tar.py
@@ -60,3 +60,5 @@ def add_tar_opts (cmdlist, compression, verbosity):
         cmdlist.extend(['--use-compress-program', program])
     if verbosity > 1:
         cmdlist.append('--verbose')
+    if progname == 'tar':
+        cmdlist.append('--force-local')