diff --git a/arch/sim/src/Makefile b/arch/sim/src/Makefile
index abb9a9e405..d6fdf23061 100644
--- a/arch/sim/src/Makefile
+++ b/arch/sim/src/Makefile
@@ -292,7 +292,9 @@ endif
 
 nuttx$(EXEEXT): cleanrel nuttx.rel $(HOSTOBJS)
 	$(Q) echo "LD:  nuttx$(EXEEXT)"
-	$(Q) "$(CC)" $(CCLINKFLAGS) $(LIBPATHS) -o $(TOPDIR)/$@ nuttx.rel $(HOSTOBJS) $(DRVLIB) $(STDLIBS)
+	$(if $(CONFIG_HAVE_CXX),\
+	$(Q) "$(CXX)" $(CCLINKFLAGS) $(LIBPATHS) -o $(TOPDIR)/$@ nuttx.rel $(HOSTOBJS) $(DRVLIB) $(STDLIBS),\
+	$(Q) "$(CC)" $(CCLINKFLAGS) $(LIBPATHS) -o $(TOPDIR)/$@ nuttx.rel $(HOSTOBJS) $(DRVLIB) $(STDLIBS))
 	$(Q) $(NM) $(TOPDIR)/$@ | \
 		grep -v '\(compiled\)\|\(\.o$$\)\|\( [aUw] \)\|\(\.\.ng$$\)\|\(LASH[RL]DI\)' | \
 		sort > $(TOPDIR)/System.map