diff --git a/tests/Makefile b/tests/Makefile
index 08d3d3777d..8952394210 100644
--- a/tests/Makefile
+++ b/tests/Makefile
@@ -2008,6 +2008,9 @@ endif
 endif
 endif
 endif
+ifeq ($(TEST_OS_TARGET),msdos)
+override TEST_OPT+=-XX
+endif
 TEST_OUTPUTDIR=output/$(TEST_TARGETSUFFIX)
 C_SUBDIR=$(TEST_OS_TARGET)/$(TEST_CPU_TARGET)
 ifneq ($(DATE),__missing_command_DATE)
diff --git a/tests/Makefile.fpc b/tests/Makefile.fpc
index 206fe11758..5921aaaa69 100644
--- a/tests/Makefile.fpc
+++ b/tests/Makefile.fpc
@@ -95,6 +95,11 @@ endif
 endif
 endif
 
+# always enable smartlinking for msdos
+ifeq ($(TEST_OS_TARGET),msdos)
+override TEST_OPT+=-XX
+endif
+
 # Target dir where the ppu and binaries are created
 TEST_OUTPUTDIR=output/$(TEST_TARGETSUFFIX)
 C_SUBDIR=$(TEST_OS_TARGET)/$(TEST_CPU_TARGET)