diff --git a/arch/Config.in b/arch/Config.in
index d8d841b1a2..94bd2150ca 100644
--- a/arch/Config.in
+++ b/arch/Config.in
@@ -78,6 +78,9 @@ config BR2_aarch64_be
 config BR2_csky
 	bool "csky"
 	select BR2_ARCH_HAS_MMU_MANDATORY
+	# Most variants are supported by gcc-9+, except one that is
+	# handled as a special exception in package/gcc/Config.in.host
+	select BR2_ARCH_NEEDS_GCC_AT_LEAST_9
 	help
 	  csky is processor IP from china.
 	  http://www.c-sky.com/
diff --git a/arch/Config.in.csky b/arch/Config.in.csky
index 4bdfbfae4b..7e2029f759 100644
--- a/arch/Config.in.csky
+++ b/arch/Config.in.csky
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ choice
 	  Specific CPU variant to use
 
 config BR2_ck610
+	# Not supported by upstream gcc <= 9, and handled as a special
+	# exception in package/gcc/Config.in.host
 	bool "ck610"
 
 config BR2_ck807
diff --git a/package/gcc/Config.in.host b/package/gcc/Config.in.host
index 8b563c8f27..adc12e95ea 100644
--- a/package/gcc/Config.in.host
+++ b/package/gcc/Config.in.host
@@ -89,6 +89,9 @@ config BR2_GCC_VERSION_9_X
 	# powerpc spe support has been deprecated since gcc 8.x.
 	# https://gcc.gnu.org/ml/gcc/2018-04/msg00102.html
 	depends on !BR2_powerpc_SPE
+	# C-SKY sk610 needs abiv1, which is not supported in
+	# upstream gcc
+	depends on !BR2_ck610
 	select BR2_TOOLCHAIN_GCC_AT_LEAST_9
 
 endchoice