--- a/arch/mips/Makefile
+++ b/arch/mips/Makefile
@@ -607,6 +607,9 @@ ifdef CONFIG_PHYSICAL_START
 load-y			= $(CONFIG_PHYSICAL_START)
 endif
 
+# temporary until string.h is fixed
+cflags-y += -ffreestanding
+
 cflags-y			+= -I$(srctree)/arch/mips/include/asm/mach-generic
 drivers-$(CONFIG_PCI)		+= arch/mips/pci/