diff --git a/lib/maven.defs b/lib/maven.defs
index 5f4006fe27..23708ca249 100644
--- a/lib/maven.defs
+++ b/lib/maven.defs
@@ -40,7 +40,8 @@ def maven_jar(
     sha1 = '', bin_sha1 = '', src_sha1 = '',
     repository = MAVEN_CENTRAL,
     attach_source = True,
-    visibility = ['PUBLIC']):
+    visibility = ['PUBLIC'],
+    local_license = False):
   from os import path
 
   parts = id.split(':')
@@ -89,7 +90,10 @@ def maven_jar(
     cmd = ' '.join(cmd),
     out = binjar,
   )
-  license = ['//lib:LICENSE-' + license]
+  license = ':LICENSE-' + license
+  if not local_license:
+    license = '//lib' + license
+  license = [license]
 
   if src_sha1 or attach_source:
     cmd = ['$(exe //tools:download_file)', '-o', '$OUT', '-u', srcurl]