diff --git a/arch/arm64/Makefile b/arch/arm64/Makefile
index 6bb1c18af67a..7523b6f70120 100644
--- a/arch/arm64/Makefile
+++ b/arch/arm64/Makefile
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ ifeq ($(CONFIG_GENERIC_COMPAT_VDSO), y)
 
   ifeq ($(CONFIG_CC_IS_CLANG), y)
     $(warning CROSS_COMPILE_COMPAT is clang, the compat vDSO will not be built)
-  else ifeq ($(CROSS_COMPILE_COMPAT),)
+  else ifeq ($(strip $(CROSS_COMPILE_COMPAT)),)
     $(warning CROSS_COMPILE_COMPAT not defined or empty, the compat vDSO will not be built)
   else ifeq ($(shell which $(CROSS_COMPILE_COMPAT)gcc 2> /dev/null),)
     $(error $(CROSS_COMPILE_COMPAT)gcc not found, check CROSS_COMPILE_COMPAT)