diff --git a/scripts/build-toolchains.sh b/scripts/build-toolchains.sh
index 19fa524e..d09370d1 100755
--- a/scripts/build-toolchains.sh
+++ b/scripts/build-toolchains.sh
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ set -o pipefail
 DIR="$(dirname "$(readlink -f "${BASH_SOURCE[0]:-${(%):-%x}}")")"
 CHIPYARD_DIR="$(dirname "$DIR")"
 
+# Allow user to override MAKE
+[ -n "${MAKE:+x}" ] || MAKE=$(command -v gnumake || command -v gmake || command -v make)
+readonly MAKE
+
 usage() {
     echo "usage: ${0} [OPTIONS] [riscv-tools | esp-tools | ec2fast]"
     echo ""