diff --git a/include/arch/nios2/arch.h b/include/arch/nios2/arch.h
index 4dafe1d0648..1ed73e76546 100644
--- a/include/arch/nios2/arch.h
+++ b/include/arch/nios2/arch.h
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ extern "C" {
 #include <irq.h>
 #include <sw_isr_table.h>
 
+/* physical/virtual address types required by microkernel */
+typedef unsigned int paddr_t;
+typedef unsigned int vaddr_t;
+
 /**
  * Configure a static interrupt.
  *