diff --git a/soem/ethercattype.h b/soem/ethercattype.h
index 1881df3..86df704 100644
--- a/soem/ethercattype.h
+++ b/soem/ethercattype.h
@@ -23,15 +23,17 @@ extern "C"
 {
 #endif
 
-/** Define Little or Big endian target */
-#define EC_LITTLE_ENDIAN
-
 /** define EC_VER1 if version 1 default context and functions are needed
  * comment if application uses only ecx_ functions and own context */
 #define EC_VER1
 
 #include "osal.h"
 
+/** Define little endian target by default if no endian is set */
+#if !defined(EC_LITTLE_ENDIAN) && !defined(EC_BIG_ENDIAN)
+#   define EC_LITTLE_ENDIAN
+#endif
+
 /** return value general error */
 #define EC_ERROR           -3
 /** return value no frame returned */