diff --git a/Makefile.system b/Makefile.system
index 43a3d7c6c..c78500eb6 100644
--- a/Makefile.system
+++ b/Makefile.system
@@ -15,8 +15,6 @@ ifeq ($(HOSTARCH), amd64)
 HOSTARCH=x86_64
 endif
 
-HAVE_GAS := $(shell as -v < /dev/null 2>&1 | grep GNU 2>&1 >/dev/null ; echo $$?)
-
 # Catch conflicting usage of ARCH in some BSD environments
 ifeq ($(ARCH), amd64)
 override ARCH=x86_64
@@ -368,6 +366,8 @@ GCCMINORVERSIONGTEQ2 := $(shell expr `$(CC) $(GCCDUMPVERSION_PARAM) | cut -f2 -d
 GCCMINORVERSIONGTEQ7 := $(shell expr `$(CC) $(GCCDUMPVERSION_PARAM) | cut -f2 -d.` \>= 7)
 endif
 
+HAVE_GAS := $(shell $(AS) -v < /dev/null 2>&1 | grep GNU 2>&1 >/dev/null ; echo $$?)
+
 #
 #  OS dependent settings
 #