diff --git a/_projects/armv7m7-imxrt117x-evk/build.project b/_projects/armv7m7-imxrt117x-evk/build.project
index 59a93e7e..e0a73f4e 100644
--- a/_projects/armv7m7-imxrt117x-evk/build.project
+++ b/_projects/armv7m7-imxrt117x-evk/build.project
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 
 [ "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" -ef "$0" ] && echo "You should source this script, not execute it!" && exit 1
 
+: "${WATCHDOG:=0}"
+export WATCHDOG
 
 b_image_project () {
 	b_log "The images have been built for the ${TARGET} platform"