diff --git a/conf/mips.rmk b/conf/mips.rmk
index a6fcaf88e..1ef9579e8 100644
--- a/conf/mips.rmk
+++ b/conf/mips.rmk
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # -*- makefile -*-
 
 COMMON_ASFLAGS += -nostdinc
-COMMON_CFLAGS += -mexplicit-relocs -mflush-func=grub_cpu_flush_cache
+COMMON_CFLAGS += -ffreestanding -mexplicit-relocs -mflush-func=grub_cpu_flush_cache
 COMMON_LDFLAGS += -nostdlib
 
 # Used by various components.  These rules need to precede them.