diff --git a/esp8266/Makefile b/esp8266/Makefile
index 21ed7f417e..d8786301a8 100644
--- a/esp8266/Makefile
+++ b/esp8266/Makefile
@@ -209,4 +209,4 @@ axtls:
 	cd ../lib/axtls; cp config/upyconfig config/.config
 	cd ../lib/axtls; make oldconfig -B
 	cd ../lib/axtls; make clean
-	cd ../lib/axtls; make all CC="$(CC)" LD="$(LD)" CFLAGS_EXTRA="$(CFLAGS_XTENSA) -Dabort=abort_ -DRT_MAX_PLAIN_LENGTH=1024 -DRT_EXTRA=3072"
+	cd ../lib/axtls; make all CC="$(CC)" LD="$(LD)" AR="$(AR)" CFLAGS_EXTRA="$(CFLAGS_XTENSA) -Dabort=abort_ -DRT_MAX_PLAIN_LENGTH=1024 -DRT_EXTRA=3072"