diff --git a/build/jam/AlternativeGCCArchive b/build/jam/AlternativeGCCArchive
index f0ed063d0a..5a7827f131 100644
--- a/build/jam/AlternativeGCCArchive
+++ b/build/jam/AlternativeGCCArchive
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 # the rules building the archive. Included by HaikuImage.
 
 
+#sanity check - make sure the primary gcc is different than the alternative gcc
+if $(HAIKU_PRIMARY_GCC) = $(HAIKU_GCC_VERSION[1]) {
+	Exit "Error: Your alternative gcc is the same as the main gcc!"
+		"You need to reconfigure your generated directories." ;
+}
+
 #pragma mark - Build The Archive
 
 
diff --git a/build/jam/HaikuImage b/build/jam/HaikuImage
index 26e9d74039..fbb4fb7779 100644
--- a/build/jam/HaikuImage
+++ b/build/jam/HaikuImage
@@ -670,6 +670,7 @@ if $(HAIKU_ADD_ALTERNATIVE_GCC_LIBS) = 1
 		cd $(DIRECTORY)
 		export HAIKU_IGNORE_USER_BUILD_CONFIG=1
 		export HAIKU_ADD_OPTIONAL_PACKAGES=$(OPTIONAL_PACKAGES)
+		export HAIKU_PRIMARY_GCC=$(HAIKU_GCC_VERSION[1])
 		$(JAM:E=jam) -q $(COMMAND_LINE) ;
 	}