diff --git a/arch/xtensa/Makefile b/arch/xtensa/Makefile
index 1da55fe4beff..6d7f60e6d559 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/Makefile
+++ b/arch/xtensa/Makefile
@@ -68,6 +68,9 @@ LIBGCC := $(shell $(CC) $(KBUILD_CFLAGS) -print-libgcc-file-name)
 
 head-y		:= arch/xtensa/kernel/head.o
 core-y		+= arch/xtensa/kernel/ arch/xtensa/mm/
+ifneq ($(VARIANT),)
+core-y		+= arch/xtensa/variants/$(VARIANT)/
+endif
 ifneq ($(PLATFORM),)
 core-y		+= arch/xtensa/platforms/$(PLATFORM)/
 endif
diff --git a/arch/xtensa/variants/dc232b/Makefile b/arch/xtensa/variants/dc232b/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..3c8f268317d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/arch/xtensa/variants/dc232b/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# dc232b Makefile
diff --git a/arch/xtensa/variants/fsf/Makefile b/arch/xtensa/variants/fsf/Makefile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..3fadcfd03d19
--- /dev/null
+++ b/arch/xtensa/variants/fsf/Makefile
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+# fsf Makefile