diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index d2c9a9dfac..b5882c64d3 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -138,12 +138,17 @@ ifeq ($(deprecationwarnings), on)
   GYPFLAGS += -Dv8_deprecation_warnings=1
 endif 
 # arm specific flags.
-# armv7=false/true
+# arm_version=<number | "default">
+ifneq ($(strip $(arm_version)),)
+  GYPFLAGS += -Darm_version=$(arm_version)
+else
+# Deprecated (use arm_version instead): armv7=false/true
 ifeq ($(armv7), false)
-  GYPFLAGS += -Darmv7=0
+  GYPFLAGS += -Darm_version=6
 else
 ifeq ($(armv7), true)
-  GYPFLAGS += -Darmv7=1
+  GYPFLAGS += -Darm_version=7
+endif
 endif
 endif
 # vfp2=off. Deprecated, use armfpu=
diff --git a/build/android.gypi b/build/android.gypi
index ca097255bb..0ea899d6ed 100644
--- a/build/android.gypi
+++ b/build/android.gypi
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@
               '-Wl,--icf=safe',
             ],
           }],
-          ['target_arch=="arm" and armv7==1', {
+          ['target_arch=="arm" and arm_version==7', {
             'cflags': [
               '-march=armv7-a',
               '-mtune=cortex-a8',
@@ -164,12 +164,12 @@
               '-I<(android_stlport_include)',
             ],
             'conditions': [
-              ['target_arch=="arm" and armv7==1', {
+              ['target_arch=="arm" and arm_version==7', {
                 'ldflags': [
                   '-L<(android_stlport_libs)/armeabi-v7a',
                 ],
               }],
-              ['target_arch=="arm" and armv7==0', {
+              ['target_arch=="arm" and arm_version < 7', {
                 'ldflags': [
                   '-L<(android_stlport_libs)/armeabi',
                 ],
diff --git a/build/standalone.gypi b/build/standalone.gypi
index 1f91f9eb25..cf45ee903e 100644
--- a/build/standalone.gypi
+++ b/build/standalone.gypi
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@
       }],
     ],
     # Default ARM variable settings.
-    'armv7%': 'default',
+    'arm_version%': 'default',
     'arm_neon%': 0,
     'arm_fpu%': 'vfpv3',
     'arm_float_abi%': 'default',
diff --git a/build/toolchain.gypi b/build/toolchain.gypi
index 99f357a965..684db74d2b 100644
--- a/build/toolchain.gypi
+++ b/build/toolchain.gypi
@@ -92,10 +92,10 @@
             'conditions': [
               ['armcompiler=="yes"', {
                 'conditions': [
-                  [ 'armv7==1', {
+                  [ 'arm_version==7', {
                     'cflags': ['-march=armv7-a',],
                   }],
-                  [ 'armv7==1 or armv7=="default"', {
+                  [ 'arm_version==7 or arm_version=="default"', {
                     'conditions': [
                       [ 'arm_neon==1', {
                         'cflags': ['-mfpu=neon',],
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@
               }, {
                 # armcompiler=="no"
                 'conditions': [
-                  [ 'armv7==1 or armv7=="default"', {
+                  [ 'arm_version==7 or arm_version=="default"', {
                     'defines': [
                       'CAN_USE_ARMV7_INSTRUCTIONS=1',
                     ],
@@ -180,10 +180,10 @@
             'conditions': [
               ['armcompiler=="yes"', {
                 'conditions': [
-                  [ 'armv7==1', {
+                  [ 'arm_version==7', {
                     'cflags': ['-march=armv7-a',],
                   }],
-                  [ 'armv7==1 or armv7=="default"', {
+                  [ 'arm_version==7 or arm_version=="default"', {
                     'conditions': [
                       [ 'arm_neon==1', {
                         'cflags': ['-mfpu=neon',],
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@
               }, {
                 # armcompiler=="no"
                 'conditions': [
-                  [ 'armv7==1 or armv7=="default"', {
+                  [ 'arm_version==7 or arm_version=="default"', {
                     'defines': [
                       'CAN_USE_ARMV7_INSTRUCTIONS=1',
                     ],