diff --git a/mk/spdk.app.mk b/mk/spdk.app.mk
index d1eb0bd3b..6bafee330 100644
--- a/mk/spdk.app.mk
+++ b/mk/spdk.app.mk
@@ -31,22 +31,6 @@
 #  OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 #
 
-SPDK_LIB_FILES = $(call spdk_lib_list_to_static_libs,$(SPDK_LIB_LIST))
-SPDK_LIB_LINKER_ARGS = \
-	-L$(SPDK_ROOT_DIR)/build/lib \
-	-Wl,--whole-archive \
-	$(SPDK_LIB_LIST:%=-lspdk_%) \
-	-Wl,--no-whole-archive
-
-# This is primarily used for unit tests to ensure they link when shared library
-# build is enabled.  Shared libraries can't get their mock implementation from
-# the unit test file.  Note that even for unittests, we must include the mock
-# library with whole-archive, to keep its functions from getting stripped out
-# when LTO is enabled.
-SPDK_STATIC_LIB_LINKER_ARGS = \
-	$(SPDK_LIB_LIST:%=$(SPDK_ROOT_DIR)/build/lib/libspdk_%.a) \
-	-Wl,--whole-archive \
-	$(SPDK_ROOT_DIR)/build/lib/libspdk_ut_mock.a \
-	-Wl,--no-whole-archive
+include $(SPDK_ROOT_DIR)/mk/spdk.app_vars.mk
 
 install: all
diff --git a/mk/spdk.app_vars.mk b/mk/spdk.app_vars.mk
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..854a6a89d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mk/spdk.app_vars.mk
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+#
+#  BSD LICENSE
+#
+#  Copyright (c) Intel Corporation.
+#  All rights reserved.
+#
+#  Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+#  modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+#  are met:
+#
+#    * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+#      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+#    * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+#      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+#      the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+#      distribution.
+#    * Neither the name of Intel Corporation nor the names of its
+#      contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived
+#      from this software without specific prior written permission.
+#
+#  THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+#  "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+#  LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+#  A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+#  OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+#  SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+#  LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+#  DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+#  THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+#  (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+#  OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+#
+
+SPDK_LIB_FILES = $(call spdk_lib_list_to_static_libs,$(SPDK_LIB_LIST))
+SPDK_LIB_LINKER_ARGS = \
+	-L$(SPDK_ROOT_DIR)/build/lib \
+	-Wl,--whole-archive \
+	$(SPDK_LIB_LIST:%=-lspdk_%) \
+	-Wl,--no-whole-archive
+
+# This is primarily used for unit tests to ensure they link when shared library
+# build is enabled.  Shared libraries can't get their mock implementation from
+# the unit test file.  Note that even for unittests, we must include the mock
+# library with whole-archive, to keep its functions from getting stripped out
+# when LTO is enabled.
+SPDK_STATIC_LIB_LINKER_ARGS = \
+	$(SPDK_LIB_LIST:%=$(SPDK_ROOT_DIR)/build/lib/libspdk_%.a) \
+	-Wl,--whole-archive \
+	$(SPDK_ROOT_DIR)/build/lib/libspdk_ut_mock.a \
+	-Wl,--no-whole-archive