diff --git a/Makefile.defs b/Makefile.defs
index 5a131c971..8f8c36e3b 100644
--- a/Makefile.defs
+++ b/Makefile.defs
@@ -38,9 +38,9 @@ TAR = tar
 TARFLAGS ?= -v --ignore-failed-read -r
 TARFLAGS += -C .. -f
 CROSS  ?= arm-none-eabi-
-CC = gcc
-CXX = g++
-LD = g++
+CC ?= gcc
+CXX ?= g++
+LD ?= g++
 SH = sh
 BASH = bash
 PERL = perl