diff --git a/src/include/option.h b/src/include/option.h
index bee761acfb..083af9552d 100644
--- a/src/include/option.h
+++ b/src/include/option.h
@@ -8,8 +8,14 @@
 void sanitize_cmos(void);
 
 /* The CBFS file option backend cannot be used in SMM due to vboot
- * dependencies, which are not added to SMM */
-#if CONFIG(OPTION_BACKEND_NONE) || (CONFIG(USE_CBFS_FILE_OPTION_BACKEND) && ENV_SMM)
+ * dependencies, which are not added to SMM.
+ * The UEFI variable store option backend cannot be used in verstage because:
+ * - Verstage runs before SMM is available (needed for SMMSTORE access)
+ * - EDK2 headers required for UEFI variables are x86-specific and not available
+ *   in ARM verstage (PSP verstage). */
+#if CONFIG(OPTION_BACKEND_NONE) || \
+	(CONFIG(USE_CBFS_FILE_OPTION_BACKEND) && ENV_SMM) || \
+	(CONFIG(USE_UEFI_VARIABLE_STORE) && ENV_SEPARATE_VERSTAGE)
 
 static inline unsigned int get_uint_option(const char *name, const unsigned int fallback)
 {