diff --git a/base-linux/lib/import/import-lx_hybrid.mk b/base-linux/lib/import/import-lx_hybrid.mk
index 1abc38c75..2bc5d2f6f 100644
--- a/base-linux/lib/import/import-lx_hybrid.mk
+++ b/base-linux/lib/import/import-lx_hybrid.mk
@@ -102,3 +102,6 @@ endif
 
 # because we use the host compiler's libgcc, omit the Genode toolchain's version
 LD_LIBGCC =
+
+# use the host c++ for linking to find shared libraries in DT_RPATH library paths
+LD_CMD = c++
diff --git a/base/mk/prg.mk b/base/mk/prg.mk
index 2eec9dd67..2ffe23499 100644
--- a/base/mk/prg.mk
+++ b/base/mk/prg.mk
@@ -106,7 +106,9 @@ SHARED_LIBS := $(sort $(wildcard $(SHARED_LIBS)))
 #
 # Use CXX for linking
 #
-LD_CMD := $(CXX) $(CXX_LINK_OPT)
+LD_CMD ?= $(CXX)
+
+LD_CMD += $(CXX_LINK_OPT)
 
 ifeq ($(SHARED_LIBS),)
 LD_SCRIPTS  := $(LD_SCRIPT_STATIC)