diff --git a/make/config.mk b/make/config.mk
index 4721ddae..0ba0cae3 100644
--- a/make/config.mk
+++ b/make/config.mk
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ endif
 ifndef ONL_DEBIAN_SUITE
 $(error "The $$ONL_DEBIAN_SUITE value is not set. Please source $$ONL/setup.env")
 endif
+export ONL_DEBIAN_SUITE_$(ONL_DEBIAN_SUITE)=1
 
 export BUILD_DIR_BASE=BUILD/$(ONL_DEBIAN_SUITE)