diff --git a/skainet-backends/skainet-backend-native-cpu/build.gradle.kts b/skainet-backends/skainet-backend-native-cpu/build.gradle.kts
index 48231a07..2d75bd56 100644
--- a/skainet-backends/skainet-backend-native-cpu/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/skainet-backends/skainet-backend-native-cpu/build.gradle.kts
@@ -316,6 +316,12 @@ val configureNativeKernelsArm64 by tasks.registering(Exec::class) {
         "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release",
         "-DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=$toolchainFilePath",
         "-DSKAINET_AARCH64_CC=$aarch64Cc",
+    ) + listOfNotNull(
+        // Cross-archiving from a macOS host needs an ELF-aware ar/ranlib (the
+        // BSD defaults silently emit an EMPTY archive from ELF objects) — see
+        // toolchain-aarch64.cmake. Optional overrides, e.g. Konan's llvm-ar.
+        (findProperty("skainetAarch64Ar") as String?)?.let { "-DSKAINET_AARCH64_AR=$it" },
+        (findProperty("skainetAarch64Ranlib") as String?)?.let { "-DSKAINET_AARCH64_RANLIB=$it" },
     )
 }
 
diff --git a/skainet-backends/skainet-backend-native-cpu/native/toolchain-aarch64.cmake b/skainet-backends/skainet-backend-native-cpu/native/toolchain-aarch64.cmake
index 65e7e246..dc657f06 100644
--- a/skainet-backends/skainet-backend-native-cpu/native/toolchain-aarch64.cmake
+++ b/skainet-backends/skainet-backend-native-cpu/native/toolchain-aarch64.cmake
@@ -21,6 +21,21 @@ if(NOT DEFINED SKAINET_AARCH64_CC)
 endif()
 set(CMAKE_C_COMPILER ${SKAINET_AARCH64_CC})
 
+# The archiver must understand ELF objects. On a macOS host the default
+# /usr/bin/ar + ranlib silently produce an EMPTY archive from cross-compiled
+# ELF objects (just a __.SYMDEF), which then surfaces downstream as
+# "undefined symbol: skainet_*" when a consumer links the published klib.
+# Allow -DSKAINET_AARCH64_AR/-DSKAINET_AARCH64_RANLIB overrides, and default
+# to llvm-ar/llvm-ranlib when they are on the PATH (they handle ELF anywhere).
+if(NOT DEFINED SKAINET_AARCH64_AR)
+    find_program(SKAINET_AARCH64_AR NAMES llvm-ar aarch64-linux-gnu-gcc-ar ar)
+endif()
+if(NOT DEFINED SKAINET_AARCH64_RANLIB)
+    find_program(SKAINET_AARCH64_RANLIB NAMES llvm-ranlib aarch64-linux-gnu-gcc-ranlib ranlib)
+endif()
+set(CMAKE_AR ${SKAINET_AARCH64_AR})
+set(CMAKE_RANLIB ${SKAINET_AARCH64_RANLIB})
+
 # Search for libraries/headers only in the target sysroot, but find
 # programs (the compiler) on the host.
 set(CMAKE_FIND_ROOT_PATH_MODE_PROGRAM NEVER)