diff --git a/config/companion_tools.in b/config/companion_tools.in
index ea6724f5..18811e6b 100644
--- a/config/companion_tools.in
+++ b/config/companion_tools.in
@@ -2,10 +2,14 @@
 
 menu "Companion tools"
 
+# Tools that require make-3.81 to build should select this:
 config COMP_TOOLS_make_3_81_NEEDED
     bool
+
+config COMP_TOOLS_FORCE_make_3_81
+    def_bool y
+    depends on COMP_TOOLS_make_3_81_NEEDED
     depends on ! CONFIGURE_has_make381
-    default y
     select COMP_TOOLS
     select COMP_TOOLS_make