diff --git a/configure.py b/configure.py
index a6dae354d4233f..e2bb9dce127950 100755
--- a/configure.py
+++ b/configure.py
@@ -1247,9 +1247,7 @@ def configure_node(o):
 
   o['variables']['want_separate_host_toolset'] = int(cross_compiling)
 
-  # Enable branch protection for arm64
   if target_arch == 'arm64':
-    o['cflags']+=['-msign-return-address=all']
     o['variables']['arm_fpu'] = options.arm_fpu or 'neon'
 
   if options.node_snapshot_main is not None:
diff --git a/node.gyp b/node.gyp
index 448cb8a8c7cd49..6cec024ffe722e 100644
--- a/node.gyp
+++ b/node.gyp
@@ -109,6 +109,9 @@
     },
 
     'conditions': [
+      ['target_arch=="arm64"', {
+        'cflags': ['-msign-return-address=all'],  # Pointer authentication.
+      }],
       ['OS=="aix"', {
         'ldflags': [
           '-Wl,-bnoerrmsg',