diff --git a/compiler/rustc_codegen_llvm/src/va_arg.rs b/compiler/rustc_codegen_llvm/src/va_arg.rs
index 3fc56eecdd0da..07fde27b5a314 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_codegen_llvm/src/va_arg.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_codegen_llvm/src/va_arg.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use rustc_codegen_ssa::{
 };
 use rustc_middle::ty::layout::HasTyCtxt;
 use rustc_middle::ty::Ty;
-use rustc_target::abi::{Align, HasDataLayout, LayoutOf, Size};
+use rustc_target::abi::{Align, Endian, HasDataLayout, LayoutOf, Size};
 
 fn round_pointer_up_to_alignment(
     bx: &mut Builder<'a, 'll, 'tcx>,
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ fn emit_direct_ptr_va_arg(
     let next = bx.inbounds_gep(addr, &[full_direct_size]);
     bx.store(next, va_list_addr, bx.tcx().data_layout.pointer_align.abi);
 
-    if size.bytes() < slot_size.bytes() && &*bx.tcx().sess.target.endian == "big" {
+    if size.bytes() < slot_size.bytes() && bx.tcx().sess.target.endian == Endian::Big {
         let adjusted_size = bx.cx().const_i32((slot_size.bytes() - size.bytes()) as i32);
         let adjusted = bx.inbounds_gep(addr, &[adjusted_size]);
         (bx.bitcast(adjusted, bx.cx().type_ptr_to(llty)), addr_align)
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ fn emit_aapcs_va_arg(
     let mut end = bx.build_sibling_block("va_arg.end");
     let zero = bx.const_i32(0);
     let offset_align = Align::from_bytes(4).unwrap();
-    assert!(&*bx.tcx().sess.target.endian == "little");
+    assert_eq!(bx.tcx().sess.target.endian, Endian::Little);
 
     let gr_type = target_ty.is_any_ptr() || target_ty.is_integral();
     let (reg_off, reg_top_index, slot_size) = if gr_type {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs b/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs
index 938edb76ca6b3..6074aac4032c4 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs
@@ -819,7 +819,7 @@ pub fn default_configuration(sess: &Session) -> CrateConfig {
         }
     }
     ret.insert((sym::target_arch, Some(Symbol::intern(arch))));
-    ret.insert((sym::target_endian, Some(Symbol::intern(end))));
+    ret.insert((sym::target_endian, Some(Symbol::intern(end.as_str()))));
     ret.insert((sym::target_pointer_width, Some(Symbol::intern(&wordsz))));
     ret.insert((sym::target_env, Some(Symbol::intern(env))));
     ret.insert((sym::target_vendor, Some(Symbol::intern(vendor))));
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/abi/mod.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/abi/mod.rs
index a43080b09e9a1..61bfd58533a91 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/abi/mod.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/abi/mod.rs
@@ -4,11 +4,14 @@ pub use Primitive::*;
 use crate::spec::Target;
 
 use std::convert::{TryFrom, TryInto};
+use std::fmt;
 use std::num::NonZeroUsize;
 use std::ops::{Add, AddAssign, Deref, Mul, Range, RangeInclusive, Sub};
+use std::str::FromStr;
 
 use rustc_index::vec::{Idx, IndexVec};
 use rustc_macros::HashStable_Generic;
+use rustc_serialize::json::{Json, ToJson};
 use rustc_span::Span;
 
 pub mod call;
@@ -152,22 +155,19 @@ impl TargetDataLayout {
         }
 
         // Perform consistency checks against the Target information.
-        let endian_str = match dl.endian {
-            Endian::Little => "little",
-            Endian::Big => "big",
-        };
-        if endian_str != target.endian {
+        if dl.endian != target.endian {
             return Err(format!(
                 "inconsistent target specification: \"data-layout\" claims \
-                                architecture is {}-endian, while \"target-endian\" is `{}`",
-                endian_str, target.endian
+                 architecture is {}-endian, while \"target-endian\" is `{}`",
+                dl.endian.as_str(),
+                target.endian.as_str(),
             ));
         }
 
         if dl.pointer_size.bits() != target.pointer_width.into() {
             return Err(format!(
                 "inconsistent target specification: \"data-layout\" claims \
-                                pointers are {}-bit, while \"target-pointer-width\" is `{}`",
+                 pointers are {}-bit, while \"target-pointer-width\" is `{}`",
                 dl.pointer_size.bits(),
                 target.pointer_width
             ));
@@ -234,6 +234,39 @@ pub enum Endian {
     Big,
 }
 
+impl Endian {
+    pub fn as_str(&self) -> &'static str {
+        match self {
+            Self::Little => "little",
+            Self::Big => "big",
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl fmt::Debug for Endian {
+    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+        f.write_str(self.as_str())
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromStr for Endian {
+    type Err = String;
+
+    fn from_str(s: &str) -> Result<Self, Self::Err> {
+        match s {
+            "little" => Ok(Self::Little),
+            "big" => Ok(Self::Big),
+            _ => Err(format!(r#"unknown endian: "{}""#, s)),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl ToJson for Endian {
+    fn to_json(&self) -> Json {
+        self.as_str().to_json()
+    }
+}
+
 /// Size of a type in bytes.
 #[derive(Copy, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, PartialOrd, Ord, Hash, Debug, Encodable, Decodable)]
 #[derive(HashStable_Generic)]
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/armebv7r_none_eabi.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/armebv7r_none_eabi.rs
index c6586b79b87f8..255740cb9c045 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/armebv7r_none_eabi.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/armebv7r_none_eabi.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 // Targets the Big endian Cortex-R4/R5 processor (ARMv7-R)
 
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, LldFlavor, PanicStrategy, RelocModel};
 use crate::spec::{Target, TargetOptions};
 
@@ -11,7 +12,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         arch: "arm".to_string(),
 
         options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
+            endian: Endian::Big,
             linker_flavor: LinkerFlavor::Lld(LldFlavor::Ld),
             executables: true,
             linker: Some("rust-lld".to_owned()),
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/armebv7r_none_eabihf.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/armebv7r_none_eabihf.rs
index e3d4397f6123f..eb82e4d17b0ef 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/armebv7r_none_eabihf.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/armebv7r_none_eabihf.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 // Targets the Cortex-R4F/R5F processor (ARMv7-R)
 
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, LldFlavor, PanicStrategy, RelocModel};
 use crate::spec::{Target, TargetOptions};
 
@@ -11,7 +12,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         arch: "arm".to_string(),
 
         options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
+            endian: Endian::Big,
             linker_flavor: LinkerFlavor::Lld(LldFlavor::Ld),
             executables: true,
             linker: Some("rust-lld".to_owned()),
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips64_unknown_linux_gnuabi64.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips64_unknown_linux_gnuabi64.rs
index daa0d9da1725e..53398539ac20f 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips64_unknown_linux_gnuabi64.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips64_unknown_linux_gnuabi64.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         data_layout: "E-m:e-i8:8:32-i16:16:32-i64:64-n32:64-S128".to_string(),
         arch: "mips64".to_string(),
         options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
+            endian: Endian::Big,
             // NOTE(mips64r2) matches C toolchain
             cpu: "mips64r2".to_string(),
             features: "+mips64r2".to_string(),
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips64_unknown_linux_muslabi64.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips64_unknown_linux_muslabi64.rs
index db8d0c04e6f5c..329fbd2272177 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips64_unknown_linux_muslabi64.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips64_unknown_linux_muslabi64.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -11,6 +12,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 64,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-i8:8:32-i16:16:32-i64:64-n32:64-S128".to_string(),
         arch: "mips64".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions { endian: "big".to_string(), mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_gnu.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
index a7ec1f19c9de7..b41b28cbc87c2 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         data_layout: "E-m:m-p:32:32-i8:8:32-i16:16:32-i64:64-n32-S64".to_string(),
         arch: "mips".to_string(),
         options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
+            endian: Endian::Big,
             cpu: "mips32r2".to_string(),
             features: "+mips32r2,+fpxx,+nooddspreg".to_string(),
             max_atomic_width: Some(32),
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_musl.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_musl.rs
index 1ebe577bc1c4a..3713af43d7360 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_musl.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_musl.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -11,6 +12,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 32,
         data_layout: "E-m:m-p:32:32-i8:8:32-i16:16:32-i64:64-n32-S64".to_string(),
         arch: "mips".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions { endian: "big".to_string(), mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_uclibc.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_uclibc.rs
index 2123d5e1a0f78..042ec9140fac0 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_uclibc.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mips_unknown_linux_uclibc.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         data_layout: "E-m:m-p:32:32-i8:8:32-i16:16:32-i64:64-n32-S64".to_string(),
         arch: "mips".to_string(),
         options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
+            endian: Endian::Big,
             cpu: "mips32r2".to_string(),
             features: "+mips32r2,+soft-float".to_string(),
             max_atomic_width: Some(32),
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mipsisa32r6_unknown_linux_gnu.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mipsisa32r6_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
index 11b3734a10507..a81c90fe0cdec 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mipsisa32r6_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mipsisa32r6_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         data_layout: "E-m:m-p:32:32-i8:8:32-i16:16:32-i64:64-n32-S64".to_string(),
         arch: "mips".to_string(),
         options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
+            endian: Endian::Big,
             cpu: "mips32r6".to_string(),
             features: "+mips32r6".to_string(),
             max_atomic_width: Some(32),
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mipsisa64r6_unknown_linux_gnuabi64.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mipsisa64r6_unknown_linux_gnuabi64.rs
index 6282c9e1d54b6..3bf837fbb411e 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mipsisa64r6_unknown_linux_gnuabi64.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mipsisa64r6_unknown_linux_gnuabi64.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         data_layout: "E-m:e-i8:8:32-i16:16:32-i64:64-n32:64-S128".to_string(),
         arch: "mips64".to_string(),
         options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
+            endian: Endian::Big,
             // NOTE(mips64r6) matches C toolchain
             cpu: "mips64r6".to_string(),
             features: "+mips64r6".to_string(),
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs
index 8d72df6850fc2..abc96eb3322ec 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 //! the target's settings, though `target-feature` and `link-args` will *add*
 //! to the list specified by the target, rather than replace.
 
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::abi::{lookup as lookup_abi, Abi};
 use crate::spec::crt_objects::{CrtObjects, CrtObjectsFallback};
 use rustc_serialize::json::{Json, ToJson};
@@ -705,8 +706,8 @@ pub struct TargetOptions {
     /// Whether the target is built-in or loaded from a custom target specification.
     pub is_builtin: bool,
 
-    /// String to use as the `target_endian` `cfg` variable. Defaults to "little".
-    pub endian: String,
+    /// Used as the `target_endian` `cfg` variable. Defaults to little endian.
+    pub endian: Endian,
     /// Width of c_int type. Defaults to "32".
     pub c_int_width: String,
     /// OS name to use for conditional compilation (`target_os`). Defaults to "none".
@@ -1010,7 +1011,7 @@ impl Default for TargetOptions {
     fn default() -> TargetOptions {
         TargetOptions {
             is_builtin: false,
-            endian: "little".to_string(),
+            endian: Endian::Little,
             c_int_width: "32".to_string(),
             os: "none".to_string(),
             env: String::new(),
@@ -1439,8 +1440,10 @@ impl Target {
             } );
         }
 
+        if let Some(s) = obj.find("target-endian").and_then(Json::as_string) {
+            base.endian = s.parse()?;
+        }
         key!(is_builtin, bool);
-        key!(endian = "target-endian");
         key!(c_int_width = "target-c-int-width");
         key!(os);
         key!(env);
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_freebsd.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_freebsd.rs
index 626865aa242fe..3dddeb1129cbe 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_freebsd.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_freebsd.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -11,6 +12,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 64,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-i64:64-n32:64".to_string(),
         arch: "powerpc64".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions { endian: "big".to_string(), mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_linux_gnu.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
index 03322818d33c3..751022c124baa 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, RelroLevel, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -15,6 +16,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 64,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-i64:64-n32:64".to_string(),
         arch: "powerpc64".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions { endian: "big".to_string(), mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_linux_musl.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_linux_musl.rs
index 231539756f375..546dfbab6c701 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_linux_musl.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_unknown_linux_musl.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -11,6 +12,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 64,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-i64:64-n32:64".to_string(),
         arch: "powerpc64".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions { endian: "big".to_string(), mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_wrs_vxworks.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_wrs_vxworks.rs
index 1c83e3e64d436..bb55872109c33 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_wrs_vxworks.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc64_wrs_vxworks.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -11,6 +12,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 64,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-i64:64-n32:64".to_string(),
         arch: "powerpc64".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions { endian: "big".to_string(), ..base },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_gnu.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
index 3a9271247b042..70dd0b2aee691 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -10,6 +11,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 32,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-p:32:32-i64:64-n32".to_string(),
         arch: "powerpc".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions { endian: "big".to_string(), mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_gnuspe.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_gnuspe.rs
index 105a0b21aaf01..66118b74955ec 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_gnuspe.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_gnuspe.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -10,6 +11,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 32,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-p:32:32-i64:64-n32".to_string(),
         arch: "powerpc".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions { endian: "big".to_string(), mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_musl.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_musl.rs
index 49d329447893a..679a3a2f6aacb 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_musl.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_linux_musl.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -10,6 +11,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 32,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-p:32:32-i64:64-n32".to_string(),
         arch: "powerpc".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions { endian: "big".to_string(), mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, mcount: "_mcount".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_netbsd.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_netbsd.rs
index 387d6cdc456a7..1245098329aee 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_netbsd.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_unknown_netbsd.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -10,10 +11,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 32,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-p:32:32-i64:64-n32".to_string(),
         arch: "powerpc".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
-            mcount: "__mcount".to_string(),
-            ..base
-        },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, mcount: "__mcount".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks.rs
index 20ffa07b9979f..bb943a8825c6c 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -11,10 +12,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 32,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-p:32:32-i64:64-n32".to_string(),
         arch: "powerpc".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
-            features: "+secure-plt".to_string(),
-            ..base
-        },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, features: "+secure-plt".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks_spe.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks_spe.rs
index 0e713fccd23b8..4b4f118ba49bd 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks_spe.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/powerpc_wrs_vxworks_spe.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -12,7 +13,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         data_layout: "E-m:e-p:32:32-i64:64-n32".to_string(),
         arch: "powerpc".to_string(),
         options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
+            endian: Endian::Big,
             // feature msync would disable instruction 'fsync' which is not supported by fsl_p1p2
             features: "+secure-plt,+msync".to_string(),
             ..base
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/s390x_unknown_linux_gnu.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/s390x_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
index d6e8e6ee220e6..4eeea9bedfb50 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/s390x_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/s390x_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::Target;
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::linux_gnu_base::opts();
-    base.endian = "big".to_string();
+    base.endian = Endian::Big;
     // z10 is the oldest CPU supported by LLVM
     base.cpu = "z10".to_string();
     // FIXME: The data_layout string below and the ABI implementation in
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_linux_gnu.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
index e9b5520ac3d37..e1aa48872b906 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::Target;
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::linux_gnu_base::opts();
-    base.endian = "big".to_string();
+    base.endian = Endian::Big;
     base.cpu = "v9".to_string();
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(64);
 
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_netbsd.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_netbsd.rs
index c8e90f832d034..7d685c83100d3 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_netbsd.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_netbsd.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target, TargetOptions};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
@@ -11,10 +12,6 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         pointer_width: 64,
         data_layout: "E-m:e-i64:64-n32:64-S128".to_string(),
         arch: "sparc64".to_string(),
-        options: TargetOptions {
-            endian: "big".to_string(),
-            mcount: "__mcount".to_string(),
-            ..base
-        },
+        options: TargetOptions { endian: Endian::Big, mcount: "__mcount".to_string(), ..base },
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_openbsd.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_openbsd.rs
index 630ce6123f9ec..63b13fad4f7f6 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_openbsd.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc64_unknown_openbsd.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::openbsd_base::opts();
-    base.endian = "big".to_string();
+    base.endian = Endian::Big;
     base.cpu = "v9".to_string();
     base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-m64".to_string());
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(64);
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc_unknown_linux_gnu.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
index aae186b2293c7..9e8fbff81c538 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparc_unknown_linux_gnu.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::linux_gnu_base::opts();
-    base.endian = "big".to_string();
+    base.endian = Endian::Big;
     base.cpu = "v9".to_string();
     base.max_atomic_width = Some(64);
     base.pre_link_args.get_mut(&LinkerFlavor::Gcc).unwrap().push("-mv8plus".to_string());
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparcv9_sun_solaris.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparcv9_sun_solaris.rs
index 5f99e0b14f9fb..9ac56cae9168a 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparcv9_sun_solaris.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/sparcv9_sun_solaris.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
+use crate::abi::Endian;
 use crate::spec::{LinkerFlavor, Target};
 
 pub fn target() -> Target {
     let mut base = super::solaris_base::opts();
-    base.endian = "big".to_string();
+    base.endian = Endian::Big;
     base.pre_link_args.insert(LinkerFlavor::Gcc, vec!["-m64".to_string()]);
     // llvm calls this "v9"
     base.cpu = "v9".to_string();