diff --git a/depends/builders/freebsd.mk b/depends/builders/freebsd.mk
index 18316f492ee..910de28bf36 100644
--- a/depends/builders/freebsd.mk
+++ b/depends/builders/freebsd.mk
@@ -3,3 +3,7 @@ build_freebsd_CXX=clang++
 
 build_freebsd_SHA256SUM = sha256sum
 build_freebsd_DOWNLOAD = curl --location --fail --connect-timeout $(DOWNLOAD_CONNECT_TIMEOUT) --retry $(DOWNLOAD_RETRIES) -o
+
+# freebsd host on freebsd builder: override freebsd host preferences.
+freebsd_CC = clang
+freebsd_CXX = clang++
diff --git a/depends/builders/openbsd.mk b/depends/builders/openbsd.mk
index 9c94c4baae7..5c068f49fef 100644
--- a/depends/builders/openbsd.mk
+++ b/depends/builders/openbsd.mk
@@ -7,3 +7,7 @@ build_openbsd_DOWNLOAD = curl --location --fail --connect-timeout $(DOWNLOAD_CON
 build_openbsd_TAR = gtar
 # openBSD touch doesn't understand -h
 build_openbsd_TOUCH = touch -m -t 200001011200
+
+# openbsd host on openbsd builder: override openbsd host preferences.
+openbsd_CC = clang
+openbsd_CXX = clang++