diff --git a/lldb/test/hello_world/TestHelloWorld.py b/lldb/test/hello_world/TestHelloWorld.py
index a51b727cf377..82e3b97fda63 100644
--- a/lldb/test/hello_world/TestHelloWorld.py
+++ b/lldb/test/hello_world/TestHelloWorld.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ class TestHelloWorld(TestBase):
 
         Use dsym info and lldb "run" command.
         """
-        self.system(["/bin/sh", "-c", "make clean; make MAKE_DSYM=YES"])
+        self.buildDsym()
         self.hello_world_python(useLaunchAPI = False)
 
     @unittest2.expectedFailure
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class TestHelloWorld(TestBase):
 
         Use dwarf map (no dsym) and process launch API.
         """
-        self.system(["/bin/sh", "-c", "make clean; make MAKE_DSYM=NO"])
+        self.buildDwarf()
         self.hello_world_python(useLaunchAPI = True)
 
     def hello_world_python(self, useLaunchAPI):
diff --git a/lldb/test/lldbtest.py b/lldb/test/lldbtest.py
index 132dc72b121f..5b5530743f27 100644
--- a/lldb/test/lldbtest.py
+++ b/lldb/test/lldbtest.py
@@ -404,6 +404,20 @@ class TestBase(unittest2.TestCase):
             raise CalledProcessError(retcode, cmd, output=output)
         return output
 
+    def buildDsym(self):
+        """Platform specific way to build binaries with dsym info."""
+        if sys.platform.startswith("darwin"):
+            self.system(["/bin/sh", "-c", "make clean; make MAKE_DSYM=YES"])
+        else:
+            raise Exception("Don't know how to build binary with dsym")
+
+    def buildDwarf(self):
+        """Platform specific way to build binaries with dwarf maps."""
+        if sys.platform.startswith("darwin"):
+            self.system(["/bin/sh", "-c", "make clean; make MAKE_DSYM=NO"])
+        else:
+            raise Exception("Don't know how to build binary with dwarf")
+
     def DebugSBValue(self, frame, val):
         """Debug print a SBValue object, if self.traceAlways is True."""
         if not self.traceAlways: