diff --git a/py/mkenv.mk b/py/mkenv.mk
index 04e7acc1bf..46eedf988a 100644
--- a/py/mkenv.mk
+++ b/py/mkenv.mk
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ CP = cp
 MKDIR = mkdir
 SED = sed
 CAT = cat
+TOUCH = touch
 PYTHON = python3
 
 AS = $(CROSS_COMPILE)as
diff --git a/py/mkrules.mk b/py/mkrules.mk
index caa9527c70..3f310c1958 100644
--- a/py/mkrules.mk
+++ b/py/mkrules.mk
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ $(HEADER_BUILD)/qstr.i.last: $(SRC_QSTR) $(QSTR_GLOBAL_DEPENDENCIES) | $(HEADER_
 $(HEADER_BUILD)/qstr.split: $(HEADER_BUILD)/qstr.i.last
 	$(ECHO) "GEN $@"
 	$(Q)$(PYTHON) $(PY_SRC)/makeqstrdefs.py split $(HEADER_BUILD)/qstr.i.last $(HEADER_BUILD)/qstr $(QSTR_DEFS_COLLECTED)
-	$(Q)touch $@
+	$(Q)$(TOUCH) $@
 
 $(QSTR_DEFS_COLLECTED): $(HEADER_BUILD)/qstr.split
 	$(ECHO) "GEN $@"
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ print-cfg:
 
 print-def:
 	@$(ECHO) "The following defines are built into the $(CC) compiler"
-	touch __empty__.c
+	$(TOUCH) __empty__.c
 	@$(CC) -E -Wp,-dM __empty__.c
 	@$(RM) -f __empty__.c