diff --git a/arch/arm/include/asm/irq.h b/arch/arm/include/asm/irq.h
index 5a526afb5f18..35c21c375d81 100644
--- a/arch/arm/include/asm/irq.h
+++ b/arch/arm/include/asm/irq.h
@@ -1,14 +1,18 @@
 #ifndef __ASM_ARM_IRQ_H
 #define __ASM_ARM_IRQ_H
 
+#define NR_IRQS_LEGACY	16
+
+#ifndef CONFIG_SPARSE_IRQ
 #include <mach/irqs.h>
+#else
+#define NR_IRQS NR_IRQS_LEGACY
+#endif
 
 #ifndef irq_canonicalize
 #define irq_canonicalize(i)	(i)
 #endif
 
-#define NR_IRQS_LEGACY	16
-
 /*
  * Use this value to indicate lack of interrupt
  * capability