diff --git a/scripts/utilities.mak b/scripts/utilities.mak
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b2eb430fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/utilities.mak
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# try-cc
+# Usage: option = $(call try-cc, source-to-build, cc-options)
+try-cc = $(shell sh -c						  \
+	'TMP="$(OUTPUT)$(TMPOUT).$$$$";				  \
+	 echo "$(1)" |						  \
+	 $(CC) -x c - $(2) -o "$$TMP" > /dev/null 2>&1 && echo y; \
+	 rm -f "$$TMP"')
+
+# try-build
+# Usage: option = $(call try-build, source-to-build, cc-options, link-options)
+try-build = $(shell sh -c							\
+	'TMP="$(OUTPUT)$(TMPOUT).$$$$";						\
+	echo "$(1)" |								\
+	$(CC) -x c - $(2) $(3) -o "$$TMP" > /dev/null 2>&1 && echo y;		\
+	rm -f "$$TMP"')