diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/kvm/Makefile b/tools/testing/selftests/kvm/Makefile
index dc44de904797..1da541e1ab75 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/kvm/Makefile
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/kvm/Makefile
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ LIBKVM += $(LIBKVM_$(UNAME_M))
 
 INSTALL_HDR_PATH = $(top_srcdir)/usr
 LINUX_HDR_PATH = $(INSTALL_HDR_PATH)/include/
-CFLAGS += -O2 -g -I$(LINUX_HDR_PATH) -Iinclude -I$(<D)
+CFLAGS += -O2 -g -std=gnu99 -I$(LINUX_HDR_PATH) -Iinclude -I$(<D)
 
 # After inclusion, $(OUTPUT) is defined and
 # $(TEST_GEN_PROGS) starts with $(OUTPUT)/