diff --git a/Kconfig b/Kconfig
index c2db1e86820..415774c0b34 100644
--- a/Kconfig
+++ b/Kconfig
@@ -161,6 +161,16 @@ config APPS_DIR
 		example, to include makefile fragments (e.g., .config or Make.defs)
 		or to set up include file paths.
 
+config BUILD_LOADABLE
+	bool "NuttX application loadable build"
+	default n if !BUILD_KERNEL
+	default y if BUILD_KERNEL
+	---help---
+		Automatically selected if KERNEL build is selected.
+		This selection only effects the behavior of the 'make export'
+		target and currently has no effect unless you wish to build
+		loadable applications in a FLAT build.
+
 choice
 	prompt "Memory organization"
 	default BUILD_FLAT
diff --git a/tools/Makefile.unix b/tools/Makefile.unix
index dc5466fed99..5eb7fd87727 100644
--- a/tools/Makefile.unix
+++ b/tools/Makefile.unix
@@ -166,10 +166,10 @@ MKEXPORT_ARGS = -w$(WINTOOL) -t "$(TOPDIR)"
 
 ifeq ($(CONFIG_BUILD_PROTECTED),y)
 MKEXPORT_ARGS += -u
-else
-ifeq ($(CONFIG_BUILD_KERNEL),y)
+else ifeq ($(CONFIG_BUILD_KERNEL),y)
+MKEXPORT_ARGS += -u
+else ifeq ($(CONFIG_BUILD_LOADABLE),y)
 MKEXPORT_ARGS += -u
-endif
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(V),2)
diff --git a/tools/Makefile.win b/tools/Makefile.win
index fadb6e796dc..d995c9def21 100644
--- a/tools/Makefile.win
+++ b/tools/Makefile.win
@@ -158,11 +158,11 @@ MKEXPORT = tools\mkexport.bat
 MKEXPORT_ARGS = -w$(WINTOOL) -t "$(TOPDIR)"
 
 ifeq ($(CONFIG_BUILD_PROTECTED),y)
-MKEXPORT_ARGS = -u
-else
-ifeq ($(CONFIG_BUILD_KERNEL),y)
-MKEXPORT_ARGS = -u
-endif
+MKEXPORT_ARGS += -u
+else ifeq ($(CONFIG_BUILD_KERNEL),y)
+MKEXPORT_ARGS += -u
+else ifeq ($(CONFIG_BUILD_LOADABLE),y)
+MKEXPORT_ARGS += -u
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(V),2)