diff --git a/core/product_config.rbc b/core/product_config.rbc
index b3156c6f39..b0d69770d0 100644
--- a/core/product_config.rbc
+++ b/core/product_config.rbc
@@ -860,6 +860,10 @@ def _clear_var_list(g, h, var_list):
         if v in cfg:
             cfg[v] = __zero_value(cfg[v])
 
+        if v not in cfg and v not in g:
+            # Cause the variable to appear set like the make version does
+            g[v] = ""
+
 
 def __get_options():
     """Returns struct containing runtime global settings."""
diff --git a/tests/run.rbc b/tests/run.rbc
index 06f56d324d..e8c4caae36 100644
--- a/tests/run.rbc
+++ b/tests/run.rbc
@@ -164,13 +164,14 @@ assert_eq({"A_LIST_VARIABLE": ["foo"]}, board_globals_base)
 
 g = {"FOO": "a", "BAR": "c", "BAZ": "e"}
 cfg = {"FOO": "b", "BAR": "d", "BAZ": "f"}
-rblf.clear_var_list(g, struct(cfg=cfg), "FOO BAR")
+rblf.clear_var_list(g, struct(cfg=cfg), "FOO BAR NEWVAR")
 assert_eq("", g["FOO"])
 assert_eq("", cfg["FOO"])
 assert_eq("", g["BAR"])
 assert_eq("", cfg["BAR"])
 assert_eq("e", g["BAZ"])
 assert_eq("f", cfg["BAZ"])
+assert_eq("", g.get("NEWVAR"))
 
 test_single_value_inheritance()
 test_artifact_path_requirements()