diff --git a/build.config.common b/build.config.common
index 8605f2c00aca..387f7b0c9db0 100644
--- a/build.config.common
+++ b/build.config.common
@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ STOP_SHIP_TRACEPRINTK=1
 IN_KERNEL_MODULES=1
 DO_NOT_STRIP_MODULES=1
 
-HERMETIC_TOOLCHAIN=1
+HERMETIC_TOOLCHAIN=${HERMETIC_TOOLCHAIN:-1}