diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 6b09890b170c..43d0a98a9fe6 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -823,6 +823,12 @@ KBUILD_CFLAGS   += $(call cc-option,-Werror=strict-prototypes)
 # Prohibit date/time macros, which would make the build non-deterministic
 KBUILD_CFLAGS   += $(call cc-option,-Werror=date-time)
 
+# ensure -fcf-protection is disabled when using retpoline as it is
+# incompatible with -mindirect-branch=thunk-extern
+ifdef CONFIG_RETPOLINE
+KBUILD_CFLAGS += $(call cc-option,-fcf-protection=none)
+endif
+
 # use the deterministic mode of AR if available
 KBUILD_ARFLAGS := $(call ar-option,D)