diff --git a/core/Makefile b/core/Makefile
index fa0550c..110b3c9 100644
--- a/core/Makefile
+++ b/core/Makefile
@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@
 			TARGET_BOOTLOADER_BOARD_NAME="$(TARGET_BOOTLOADER_BOARD_NAME)" \
 			BUILD_FINGERPRINT="$(BUILD_FINGERPRINT)" \
 			TARGET_BOARD_PLATFORM="$(TARGET_BOARD_PLATFORM)" \
+			TARGET_CPU_ABI="$(TARGET_CPU_ABI)" \
 	        bash $(BUILDINFO_SH) > $@
 	$(hide) if [ -f $(TARGET_DEVICE_DIR)/system.prop ]; then \
 	          cat $(TARGET_DEVICE_DIR)/system.prop >> $@; \
diff --git a/core/main.mk b/core/main.mk
index 655a592..2bf8102 100644
--- a/core/main.mk
+++ b/core/main.mk
@@ -406,6 +406,10 @@
 
 # Clean up/verify variables defined by the board config file.
 TARGET_BOOTLOADER_BOARD_NAME := $(strip $(TARGET_BOOTLOADER_BOARD_NAME))
+TARGET_CPU_ABI := $(strip $(TARGET_CPU_ABI))
+ifeq ($(TARGET_CPU_ABI),)
+  $(error No TARGET_CPU_ABI defined by board config: $(board_config_mk))
+endif
 
 #
 # Include all of the makefiles in the system
diff --git a/target/board/generic/BoardConfig.mk b/target/board/generic/BoardConfig.mk
index a874742..6ec2de3 100644
--- a/target/board/generic/BoardConfig.mk
+++ b/target/board/generic/BoardConfig.mk
@@ -7,5 +7,6 @@
 TARGET_NO_BOOTLOADER := true
 TARGET_NO_KERNEL := true
 TARGET_NO_RADIOIMAGE := true
+TARGET_CPU_ABI := armeabi
 HAVE_HTC_AUDIO_DRIVER := true
 BOARD_USES_GENERIC_AUDIO := true
diff --git a/target/board/sim/BoardConfig.mk b/target/board/sim/BoardConfig.mk
index 92679d9..491b30f 100644
--- a/target/board/sim/BoardConfig.mk
+++ b/target/board/sim/BoardConfig.mk
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@
 # Don't bother with a kernel
 TARGET_NO_KERNEL := true
 
+# The simulator does not support native code at all
+TARGET_CPU_ABI := none
+
 #the simulator partially emulates the original HTC /dev/eac audio interface
 HAVE_HTC_AUDIO_DRIVER := true
 BOARD_USES_GENERIC_AUDIO := true
diff --git a/tools/buildinfo.sh b/tools/buildinfo.sh
index 1fcac76..5c738a2 100755
--- a/tools/buildinfo.sh
+++ b/tools/buildinfo.sh
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 echo "ro.product.name=$PRODUCT_NAME"
 echo "ro.product.device=$TARGET_DEVICE"
 echo "ro.product.board=$TARGET_BOOTLOADER_BOARD_NAME"
+echo "ro.product.cpu.abi=$TARGET_CPU_ABI"
 echo "ro.product.manufacturer=$PRODUCT_MANUFACTURER"
 echo "ro.product.locale.language=$PRODUCT_DEFAULT_LANGUAGE"
 echo "ro.product.locale.region=$PRODUCT_DEFAULT_REGION"