diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 62c198d091..4f5b526efa 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -163,8 +163,12 @@ osxapp:
 # Cross compile for Android.
 # Uses https://github.com/neurocyte/ghc-android
 android:
+	cabal configure
+# cabal cannot cross compile with custom build type, so workaround
+	sed -i 's/Build-type: Custom/Build-type: Simple/' git-annex.cabal
 	$$HOME/.ghc/android-14/arm-linux-androideabi-4.7/arm-linux-androideabi/bin/cabal configure -f'Android Assistant -Pairing -Webapp'
 	$(MAKE) git-annex
+	sed -i 's/Build-type: Simple/Build-type: Custom/' git-annex.cabal
 
 androidapp:
 	$(MAKE) android