diff --git a/arch/xtensa/soc/sample_controller/Makefile b/arch/xtensa/soc/sample_controller/Makefile
index 5e8827d7df9..63196eddada 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/soc/sample_controller/Makefile
+++ b/arch/xtensa/soc/sample_controller/Makefile
@@ -1 +1,3 @@
 obj- = soc.o
+
+QEMU_CPU_TYPE_xtensa = sample_controller