diff --git a/src/tools/makeBaseApp b/src/tools/makeBaseApp
index b05d1b871..023abf224 100755
--- a/src/tools/makeBaseApp
+++ b/src/tools/makeBaseApp
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@ if [ ! -d config ]; then
 	cat > config/CONFIG_APP <<-\END
 		#CONFIG_APP DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
 		include $(TOP)/config/RELEASE
+		ifndef T_A
+		T_A = $(HOST_ARCH)
+		endif
 		include $(EPICS_BASE)/config/CONFIG
 		ifdef SHARE
 		USR_INCLUDES += -I$(SHARE)/include