diff --git a/core/linux-headers/build b/core/linux-headers/build
index 5eae502f..e1dd1b01 100755
--- a/core/linux-headers/build
+++ b/core/linux-headers/build
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
 #!/bin/sh -e
 
-make headers_install INSTALL_HDR_PATH="$1/usr"
+make \
+    headers_install \
+    INSTALL_HDR_PATH="$1/usr" \
+    HOSTCC="${CC:-cc}"