diff --git a/cpu/mc1322x/Makefile.mc1322x b/cpu/mc1322x/Makefile.mc1322x
index b43539020..f05397c1d 100644
--- a/cpu/mc1322x/Makefile.mc1322x
+++ b/cpu/mc1322x/Makefile.mc1322x
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ CONTIKI_SOURCEFILES        += $(CONTIKI_TARGET_SOURCEFILES)
 
 THREADS =
 
-CROSS=arm-linux-
+CROSS_COMPILE ?= arm-linux-
+CROSS ?= $(CROSS_COMPILE)
 
 ### Compiler definitions
 CC       = $(CROSS)gcc