--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -549,6 +549,9 @@ endif
 NOSTDINC_FLAGS += -nostdinc -isystem $(shell $(CC) -print-file-name=include)
 CHECKFLAGS     += $(NOSTDINC_FLAGS)
 
+# improve gcc optimization
+CFLAGS += $(call cc-option,-funit-at-a-time,)
+
 # warn about C99 declaration after statement
 KBUILD_CFLAGS += $(call cc-option,-Wdeclaration-after-statement,)