diff --git a/build_files/utils/make_update.py b/build_files/utils/make_update.py
index 835e07d80b1..787ff5ce1df 100755
--- a/build_files/utils/make_update.py
+++ b/build_files/utils/make_update.py
@@ -36,7 +36,16 @@ def parse_arguments():
     parser.add_argument("--svn-command", default="svn")
     parser.add_argument("--svn-branch", default=None)
     parser.add_argument("--git-command", default="git")
+
+    # NOTE: Both old and new style command line flags, so that the Buildbot can use the new style.
+    # It is not possible to know from the Buildbot which style to use when building patches.
+    #
+    # Acts as an alias: `use_centos_libraries or use_linux_libraries`.
     parser.add_argument("--use-centos-libraries", action="store_true")
+    parser.add_argument("--use-linux-libraries", action="store_true")
+
+    parser.add_argument("--architecture", type=str, choices=("x86_64", "amd64", "arm64",))
+
     return parser.parse_args()
 
 
@@ -45,6 +54,16 @@ def get_blender_git_root():
 
 # Setup for precompiled libraries and tests from svn.
 
+def get_effective_architecture(args):
+    if args.architecture:
+        return args.architecture
+
+    # Check platform.version to detect arm64 with x86_64 python binary.
+    if "ARM64" in platform.version():
+        return "arm64"
+
+    return platform.machine().lower()
+
 
 def svn_update(args, release_version):
     svn_non_interactive = [args.svn_command, '--non-interactive']
@@ -53,11 +72,11 @@ def svn_update(args, release_version):
     svn_url = make_utils.svn_libraries_base_url(release_version, args.svn_branch)
 
     # Checkout precompiled libraries
+    architecture = get_effective_architecture(args)
     if sys.platform == 'darwin':
-        # Check platform.version to detect arm64 with x86_64 python binary.
-        if platform.machine() == 'arm64' or ('ARM64' in platform.version()):
+        if architecture == 'arm64':
             lib_platform = "darwin_arm64"
-        elif platform.machine() == 'x86_64':
+        elif architecture == 'x86_64':
             lib_platform = "darwin"
         else:
             lib_platform = None
@@ -66,7 +85,7 @@ def svn_update(args, release_version):
         # this script is bundled as part of the precompiled libraries. However it
         # is used by the buildbot.
         lib_platform = "win64_vc15"
-    elif args.use_centos_libraries:
+    elif args.use_centos_libraries or args.use_linux_libraries:
         lib_platform = "linux_centos7_x86_64"
     else:
         # No precompiled libraries for Linux.