diff --git a/scripts/qemu.py b/scripts/qemu.py
index 0a5e02eb56..32b00af5cc 100644
--- a/scripts/qemu.py
+++ b/scripts/qemu.py
@@ -25,10 +25,18 @@
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+# Mapping host architecture to any additional architectures it can
+# support which often includes its 32 bit cousin.
+ADDITIONAL_ARCHES = {
+    "x86_64" : "i386",
+    "aarch64" : "armhf"
+}
 
 def kvm_available(target_arch=None):
-    if target_arch and target_arch != os.uname()[4]:
-        return False
+    host_arch = os.uname()[4]
+    if target_arch and target_arch != host_arch:
+        if target_arch != ADDITIONAL_ARCHES.get(host_arch):
+            return False
     return os.access("/dev/kvm", os.R_OK | os.W_OK)