diff --git a/tools/m4/Makefile b/tools/m4/Makefile
index ee369f3cbb3..c13155397d2 100644
--- a/tools/m4/Makefile
+++ b/tools/m4/Makefile
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ HOST_BUILD_PARALLEL:=1
 
 include $(INCLUDE_DIR)/host-build.mk
 
+HOST_CFLAGS += -std=gnu17
 HOST_CONFIGURE_VARS += gl_cv_func_strstr_linear=no
 
 define Host/Uninstall