diff --git a/scripts/xtensa-build-zephyr.sh b/scripts/xtensa-build-zephyr.sh
index b15250cba..6738e5168 100755
--- a/scripts/xtensa-build-zephyr.sh
+++ b/scripts/xtensa-build-zephyr.sh
@@ -122,8 +122,11 @@ build()
 		case "$platform" in
 			apl)
 				PLAT_CONFIG='intel_adsp_cavs15'
-				XTENSA_CORE="X4H3I16w2D48w3a_2017_8"
-				XTENSA_TOOLS_VERSION="RG-2017.8-linux"
+				# XCC build runs out of memory, tracked as
+				# https://github.com/thesofproject/sof/issues/4645
+				unset XTENSA_TOOLS_ROOT
+				#XTENSA_CORE="X4H3I16w2D48w3a_2017_8"
+				#XTENSA_TOOLS_VERSION="RG-2017.8-linux"
 				;;
 			cnl)
 				PLAT_CONFIG='intel_adsp_cavs18'