--- a/arch/mips/Makefile
+++ b/arch/mips/Makefile
@@ -637,6 +637,9 @@ else
 load-$(CONFIG_CPU_CAVIUM_OCTEON) 	+= 0xffffffff81100000
 endif
 
+# temporary until string.h is fixed
+cflags-y += -ffreestanding
+
 cflags-y			+= -I$(srctree)/arch/mips/include/asm/mach-generic
 drivers-$(CONFIG_PCI)		+= arch/mips/pci/
 
