diff --git a/include/kernel.mk b/include/kernel.mk
index c169550f48..97bcfe3f0b 100644
--- a/include/kernel.mk
+++ b/include/kernel.mk
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ endif
 
 KERNEL_MAKE = $(MAKE) $(KERNEL_MAKEOPTS)
 
-KERNEL_MAKE_FLAGS := \
+KERNEL_MAKE_FLAGS = \
 	HOSTCFLAGS="$(HOST_CFLAGS) -Wall -Wmissing-prototypes -Wstrict-prototypes" \
 	CROSS_COMPILE="$(KERNEL_CROSS)" \
 	ARCH="$(LINUX_KARCH)" \