diff --git a/make_helpers/defaults.mk b/make_helpers/defaults.mk
index e95d226..060bc38 100644
--- a/make_helpers/defaults.mk
+++ b/make_helpers/defaults.mk
@@ -366,3 +366,8 @@
 else
     override ENABLE_TRBE_FOR_NS	:= 0
 endif
+
+# By default, disable access of trace system registers from NS lower
+# ELs  i.e. NS-EL2, or NS-EL1 if NS-EL2 implemented but unused if
+# system register trace is implemented.
+ENABLE_SYS_REG_TRACE_FOR_NS	:= 0