diff --git a/arch/posix/CMakeLists.txt b/arch/posix/CMakeLists.txt
index 635e5a630a6..7262272fb88 100644
--- a/arch/posix/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/arch/posix/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ endif()
 #        We use target_link_options() instead
 add_library(native_simulator INTERFACE)
 
+set(NSI_DIR ${ZEPHYR_BASE}/scripts/native_simulator CACHE PATH "Path to the native simulator")
+
 if(EXISTS ${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/${CMAKE_HOST_SYSTEM_NAME}.${CMAKE_HOST_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR}.cmake)
   # @Intent: Set necessary compiler & linker options for this specific host architecture & OS
   include(${CMAKE_HOST_SYSTEM_NAME}.${CMAKE_HOST_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR}.cmake)
diff --git a/boards/posix/native_sim/CMakeLists.txt b/boards/posix/native_sim/CMakeLists.txt
index db81d1ad103..5ce0a977745 100644
--- a/boards/posix/native_sim/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/boards/posix/native_sim/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 
-set(NSI_DIR ${ZEPHYR_BASE}/scripts/native_simulator)
-
 zephyr_library()
 
 zephyr_library_compile_definitions(NO_POSIX_CHEATS)