diff --git a/arch/mips/config.mk b/arch/mips/config.mk
index 2abdebb..1899f51 100644
--- a/arch/mips/config.mk
+++ b/arch/mips/config.mk
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier:	GPL-2.0+
 #
 
-CROSS_COMPILE ?= mips_4KC-
+ifeq ($(CROSS_COMPILE),)
+CROSS_COMPILE := mips_4KC-
+endif
 
 # Handle special prefix in ELDK 4.0 toolchain
 ifneq (,$(findstring 4KCle,$(CROSS_COMPILE)))