diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3c14da04398185..e7db6624f56277 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -228,6 +228,9 @@ Windows:
 $ pkg-config --modversion icu-i18n && ./configure --with-intl=system-icu
 ```
 
+If you are cross compiling, your `pkg-config` must be able to supply a path
+that works for both your host and target environments.
+
 #### Build with a specific ICU:
 
 You can find other ICU releases at
diff --git a/tools/icu/icu-system.gyp b/tools/icu/icu-system.gyp
index 44d4f5feff4cab..b3ca0e39b6c9eb 100644
--- a/tools/icu/icu-system.gyp
+++ b/tools/icu/icu-system.gyp
@@ -9,10 +9,12 @@
     {
       'target_name': 'icuuc',
       'type': 'none',
+      'toolsets': [ 'host', 'target' ],
     },
     {
       'target_name': 'icui18n',
       'type': 'none',
+      'toolsets': [ 'host', 'target' ],
     },
   ],
 }