diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index eca63cb4723..8796992b5e2 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ set(CMAKE_C_STANDARD 99)
 set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 11)
 #set_property(GLOBAL PROPERTY RULE_MESSAGES OFF)
 
+# check that the ARCH (target architecture) variable is defined
 if(NOT ARCH)
-    set(ARCH i386)
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "Target architecture (ARCH) is not defined. Please, choose one of: i386, amd64, arm")
 endif()
 # Now the ARCH variable will be in lowercase.
 # It is needed because STREQUAL comparison
@@ -38,6 +39,9 @@ endif()
 # for more information.
 string(TOLOWER ${ARCH} ARCH)
 
+# set possible values for cmake GUI
+set_property(CACHE ARCH PROPERTY STRINGS "i386" "amd64" "arm")
+
 # Alternative WinNT-compatible architecture string
 if(ARCH STREQUAL "i386")
     set(WINARCH "x86")
diff --git a/toolchain-clang.cmake b/toolchain-clang.cmake
index e181bf0baf4..e06a4116438 100644
--- a/toolchain-clang.cmake
+++ b/toolchain-clang.cmake
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 
-if(NOT ARCH)
-    set(ARCH i386)
-endif()
-
 if(DEFINED ENV{_ROSBE_ROSSCRIPTDIR})
     set(CMAKE_SYSROOT $ENV{_ROSBE_ROSSCRIPTDIR}/$ENV{ROS_ARCH})
 endif()
 
+# pass variables necessary for the toolchain (needed for try_compile)
+set(CMAKE_TRY_COMPILE_PLATFORM_VARIABLES ARCH CLANG_VERSION)
+
 # The name of the target operating system
 set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME Windows)
 # The processor we are targeting
@@ -17,7 +16,7 @@ elseif (ARCH STREQUAL "amd64")
 elseif(ARCH STREQUAL "arm")
     set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR arm)
 else()
-    message(ERROR "Unsupported ARCH: ${ARCH}")
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "Unsupported ARCH: ${ARCH}")
 endif()
 
 if (DEFINED CLANG_VERSION)
diff --git a/toolchain-gcc.cmake b/toolchain-gcc.cmake
index 44f6d0ce166..9d2a51899ee 100644
--- a/toolchain-gcc.cmake
+++ b/toolchain-gcc.cmake
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 
-if(NOT ARCH)
-    set(ARCH i386)
-endif()
-
 # Default to Debug for the build type
 if(NOT DEFINED CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
     set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "Debug" CACHE STRING
         "Choose the type of build, options are: None(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS or CMAKE_C_FLAGS used) Debug Release RelWithDebInfo MinSizeRel.")
 endif()
 
+# pass variables necessary for the toolchain (needed for try_compile)
+set(CMAKE_TRY_COMPILE_PLATFORM_VARIABLES ARCH)
+
 # Choose the right MinGW toolchain prefix
 if(NOT DEFINED MINGW_TOOLCHAIN_PREFIX)
     if(ARCH STREQUAL "i386")
diff --git a/toolchain-msvc.cmake b/toolchain-msvc.cmake
index 2aae2edbdd4..9de8fca31e9 100644
--- a/toolchain-msvc.cmake
+++ b/toolchain-msvc.cmake
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 
-if(NOT ARCH)
-    set(ARCH i386)
-endif()
-
 # Default to Debug for the build type
 if(NOT DEFINED CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
     set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "Debug" CACHE STRING
         "Choose the type of build, options are: None(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS or CMAKE_C_FLAGS used) Debug Release RelWithDebInfo MinSizeRel.")
 endif()
 
+# pass variables necessary for the toolchain (needed for try_compile)
+set(CMAKE_TRY_COMPILE_PLATFORM_VARIABLES ARCH USE_CLANG_CL)
+
 # the name of the target operating system
 set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME Windows)
 set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_PROCESSOR i686)