diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 83cd243145..e3515ca8bd 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -77,6 +77,10 @@
 #	makes it clear to the user when variables are being set or targets
 #	are being created.
 #
+# * Setting a global variable in a CMakeLists.txt file is ok, because
+#	each CMakeLists.txt file has scope in the current directory and all
+#	subdirecties, so it is not truly global.
+#
 # * All toolchain files should be included in the cmake
 #	directory and named Toolchain-"name".cmake.
 #
diff --git a/src/firmware/qurt/CMakeLists.txt b/src/firmware/qurt/CMakeLists.txt
index dd5b09a39b..fb97327691 100644
--- a/src/firmware/qurt/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/firmware/qurt/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -9,9 +9,8 @@ px4_qurt_generate_builtin_commands(
 	OUT ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/apps.h
 	MODULE_LIST ${module_libraries})
 
-# FIXME @jgoppert - how to work around issues like this?
-# Without changing global variables?
 # Clear -rdynamic flag which fails for hexagon
+# this change is scoped in this directory and below
 set(CMAKE_SHARED_LIBRARY_LINK_C_FLAGS "")
 set(CMAKE_SHARED_LIBRARY_LINK_CXX_FLAGS "")