diff --git a/mk/main.mk b/mk/main.mk
index a5e3764122003..2fa8ccf3621e0 100644
--- a/mk/main.mk
+++ b/mk/main.mk
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ CFG_INFO := $(info cfg: disabling unstable features (CFG_DISABLE_UNSTABLE_FEATUR
 # Turn on feature-staging
 export CFG_DISABLE_UNSTABLE_FEATURES
 # Subvert unstable feature lints to do the self-build
-export RUSTC_BOOTSTRAP
+export RUSTC_BOOTSTRAP=1
 endif
 ifdef CFG_MUSL_ROOT
 export CFG_MUSL_ROOT
diff --git a/src/bootstrap/lib.rs b/src/bootstrap/lib.rs
index e99e088bffe36..8a6ba3a585205 100644
--- a/src/bootstrap/lib.rs
+++ b/src/bootstrap/lib.rs
@@ -871,7 +871,7 @@ impl Build {
 
     /// Adds the compiler's bootstrap key to the environment of `cmd`.
     fn add_bootstrap_key(&self, cmd: &mut Command) {
-        cmd.env("RUSTC_BOOTSTRAP", "");
+        cmd.env("RUSTC_BOOTSTRAP", "1");
         // FIXME: Transitionary measure to bootstrap using the old bootstrap logic.
         // Remove this once the bootstrap compiler uses the new login in Issue #36548.
         cmd.env("RUSTC_BOOTSTRAP_KEY", "62b3e239");