diff --git a/soc/Kconfig b/soc/Kconfig
index ab0c3810f74..69fc7cb3ff8 100644
--- a/soc/Kconfig
+++ b/soc/Kconfig
@@ -16,3 +16,16 @@ module-str = SOC
 source "subsys/logging/Kconfig.template.log_config"
 
 endmenu
+
+# The helper symbols below are put here due to an unusual setup: The simulated
+# nrf52_bsim board uses the POSIX arch, but is compatible with Nordic ARM
+# boards
+
+config SOC_COMPATIBLE_NRF
+	bool
+
+config SOC_COMPATIBLE_NRF52X
+	bool
+
+config SOC_COMPATIBLE_NRF52832
+	bool
diff --git a/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/Kconfig b/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/Kconfig
index 34c535eafbe..eff6bc8ab1c 100644
--- a/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/Kconfig
+++ b/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/Kconfig
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #
 
 config SOC_FAMILY_NRF
+	select SOC_COMPATIBLE_NRF
 	bool
 	# omit prompt to signify a "hidden" option
 
diff --git a/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/nrf52/Kconfig.series b/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/nrf52/Kconfig.series
index 5c8ad8415d9..ad95fc72bba 100644
--- a/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/nrf52/Kconfig.series
+++ b/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/nrf52/Kconfig.series
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 config  SOC_SERIES_NRF52X
 	bool "Nordic Semiconductor nRF52 series MCU"
+	select SOC_COMPATIBLE_NRF52X
 	select CPU_CORTEX_M4
 	select CPU_HAS_ARM_MPU
 	select SOC_FAMILY_NRF
diff --git a/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/nrf52/Kconfig.soc b/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/nrf52/Kconfig.soc
index 2723fc0333b..b8aabd705eb 100644
--- a/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/nrf52/Kconfig.soc
+++ b/soc/arm/nordic_nrf/nrf52/Kconfig.soc
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ config SOC_NRF52810
 config SOC_NRF52832
 	depends on SOC_SERIES_NRF52X
 	bool
+	select SOC_COMPATIBLE_NRF52832
 	select CPU_HAS_FPU
 	select HAS_HW_NRF_CCM
 	select HAS_HW_NRF_CLOCK