diff --git a/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs b/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs
index 1f5cb5b8abc8c..1ddd7d694547d 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_session/src/config.rs
@@ -816,7 +816,7 @@ fn default_configuration(sess: &Session) -> CrateConfig {
     ret.reserve(6); // the minimum number of insertions
     // Target bindings.
     ret.insert((sym::target_os, Some(Symbol::intern(os))));
-    if let Some(ref fam) = sess.target.os_family {
+    for fam in &sess.target.families {
         ret.insert((sym::target_family, Some(Symbol::intern(fam))));
         if fam == "windows" {
             ret.insert((sym::windows, None));
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/apple_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/apple_base.rs
index 6fa0b34545097..bc2ec6709011a 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/apple_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/apple_base.rs
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ pub fn opts(os: &str) -> TargetOptions {
         function_sections: false,
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         is_like_osx: true,
         dwarf_version: Some(2),
         has_rpath: true,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/dragonfly_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/dragonfly_base.rs
index dd0170987824a..fb94498c131fd 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/dragonfly_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/dragonfly_base.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         os: "dragonfly".to_string(),
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         has_rpath: true,
         position_independent_executables: true,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/freebsd_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/freebsd_base.rs
index ad3383cc5f261..5d3c28e5f29c9 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/freebsd_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/freebsd_base.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         os: "freebsd".to_string(),
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         has_rpath: true,
         position_independent_executables: true,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/fuchsia_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/fuchsia_base.rs
index 2b925f8b946c4..13264dffeb4ed 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/fuchsia_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/fuchsia_base.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         linker: Some("rust-lld".to_owned()),
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         is_like_fuchsia: true,
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         pre_link_args,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/haiku_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/haiku_base.rs
index 956e4ed4bf9c8..fae56f6a82dc8 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/haiku_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/haiku_base.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         os: "haiku".to_string(),
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         relro_level: RelroLevel::Full,
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         ..Default::default()
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/illumos_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/illumos_base.rs
index d9b5716c04185..2e365d210f3f6 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/illumos_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/illumos_base.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
         has_rpath: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         is_like_solaris: true,
         limit_rdylib_exports: false, // Linker doesn't support this
         eliminate_frame_pointer: false,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/l4re_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/l4re_base.rs
index db6b74eff6dbd..65c343a5f2169 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/l4re_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/l4re_base.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         executables: true,
         panic_strategy: PanicStrategy::Abort,
         linker: Some("ld".to_string()),
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         ..Default::default()
     }
 }
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_base.rs
index eeefd056e4b74..184659e22d986 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/linux_base.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         os: "linux".to_string(),
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         has_rpath: true,
         position_independent_executables: true,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs
index 2af46693449dc..6da86d5420240 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/mod.rs
@@ -1042,8 +1042,12 @@ pub struct TargetOptions {
     pub staticlib_prefix: String,
     /// String to append to the name of every static library. Defaults to ".a".
     pub staticlib_suffix: String,
-    /// OS family to use for conditional compilation. Valid options: "unix", "windows".
-    pub os_family: Option<String>,
+    /// Values of the `target_family` cfg set for this target.
+    ///
+    /// Common options are: "unix", "windows". Defaults to no families.
+    ///
+    /// See https://doc.rust-lang.org/reference/conditional-compilation.html#target_family
+    pub families: Vec<String>,
     /// Whether the target toolchain's ABI supports returning small structs as an integer.
     pub abi_return_struct_as_int: bool,
     /// Whether the target toolchain is like macOS's. Only useful for compiling against iOS/macOS,
@@ -1293,7 +1297,7 @@ impl Default for TargetOptions {
             exe_suffix: String::new(),
             staticlib_prefix: "lib".to_string(),
             staticlib_suffix: ".a".to_string(),
-            os_family: None,
+            families: Vec::new(),
             abi_return_struct_as_int: false,
             is_like_osx: false,
             is_like_solaris: false,
@@ -1605,14 +1609,6 @@ impl Target {
                         .map(|s| s.to_string() );
                 }
             } );
-            ($key_name:ident = $json_name:expr, optional) => ( {
-                let name = $json_name;
-                if let Some(o) = obj.find(name) {
-                    base.$key_name = o
-                        .as_string()
-                        .map(|s| s.to_string() );
-                }
-            } );
             ($key_name:ident, LldFlavor) => ( {
                 let name = (stringify!($key_name)).replace("_", "-");
                 obj.find(&name[..]).and_then(|o| o.as_string().and_then(|s| {
@@ -1759,6 +1755,16 @@ impl Target {
                     Some(Ok(()))
                 })).unwrap_or(Ok(()))
             } );
+            ($key_name:ident, TargetFamilies) => ( {
+                let value = obj.find("target-family");
+                if let Some(v) = value.and_then(Json::as_array) {
+                    base.$key_name = v.iter()
+                        .map(|a| a.as_string().unwrap().to_string())
+                        .collect();
+                } else if let Some(v) = value.and_then(Json::as_string) {
+                    base.$key_name = vec![v.to_string()];
+                }
+            } );
         }
 
         if let Some(s) = obj.find("target-endian").and_then(Json::as_string) {
@@ -1802,7 +1808,7 @@ impl Target {
         key!(exe_suffix);
         key!(staticlib_prefix);
         key!(staticlib_suffix);
-        key!(os_family = "target-family", optional);
+        key!(families, TargetFamilies);
         key!(abi_return_struct_as_int, bool);
         key!(is_like_osx, bool);
         key!(is_like_solaris, bool);
@@ -2042,7 +2048,7 @@ impl ToJson for Target {
         target_option_val!(exe_suffix);
         target_option_val!(staticlib_prefix);
         target_option_val!(staticlib_suffix);
-        target_option_val!(os_family, "target-family");
+        target_option_val!(families, "target-family");
         target_option_val!(abi_return_struct_as_int);
         target_option_val!(is_like_osx);
         target_option_val!(is_like_solaris);
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/netbsd_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/netbsd_base.rs
index 680cd60788bde..602fb6eb6413b 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/netbsd_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/netbsd_base.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         os: "netbsd".to_string(),
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         no_default_libraries: false,
         has_rpath: true,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/openbsd_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/openbsd_base.rs
index a6fd01ab110df..8f33bacd9228e 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/openbsd_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/openbsd_base.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         os: "openbsd".to_string(),
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         has_rpath: true,
         abi_return_struct_as_int: true,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/redox_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/redox_base.rs
index 0afb4a72ac14f..72052b9e2e2e3 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/redox_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/redox_base.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         env: "relibc".to_string(),
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         has_rpath: true,
         position_independent_executables: true,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/solaris_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/solaris_base.rs
index 59731f25821ff..4c922eb5cea55 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/solaris_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/solaris_base.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
         has_rpath: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         is_like_solaris: true,
         limit_rdylib_exports: false, // Linker doesn't support this
         eh_frame_header: false,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/vxworks_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/vxworks_base.rs
index 41c4d7625af2a..0e8e87f2dff5c 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/vxworks_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/vxworks_base.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         exe_suffix: ".vxe".to_string(),
         dynamic_linking: true,
         executables: true,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         linker_is_gnu: true,
         has_rpath: true,
         has_elf_tls: true,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/wasm32_unknown_emscripten.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/wasm32_unknown_emscripten.rs
index e028dbaa32520..ddf28b423f0d2 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/wasm32_unknown_emscripten.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/wasm32_unknown_emscripten.rs
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ pub fn target() -> Target {
         is_like_emscripten: true,
         panic_strategy: PanicStrategy::Unwind,
         post_link_args,
-        os_family: Some("unix".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["unix".to_string()],
         ..options
     };
     Target {
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/wasm_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/wasm_base.rs
index b208eb92f8ff9..87e740de08e91 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/wasm_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/wasm_base.rs
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ pub fn options() -> TargetOptions {
 
     TargetOptions {
         is_like_wasm: true,
+        families: vec!["wasm".to_string()],
 
         // we allow dynamic linking, but only cdylibs. Basically we allow a
         // final library artifact that exports some symbols (a wasm module) but
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/windows_gnu_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/windows_gnu_base.rs
index 478c567a93b25..35a52896f6fa6 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/windows_gnu_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/windows_gnu_base.rs
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         dll_prefix: String::new(),
         dll_suffix: ".dll".to_string(),
         exe_suffix: ".exe".to_string(),
-        os_family: Some("windows".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["windows".to_string()],
         is_like_windows: true,
         allows_weak_linkage: false,
         pre_link_args,
diff --git a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/windows_msvc_base.rs b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/windows_msvc_base.rs
index c041245e32862..0d58618a449a9 100644
--- a/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/windows_msvc_base.rs
+++ b/compiler/rustc_target/src/spec/windows_msvc_base.rs
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ pub fn opts() -> TargetOptions {
         exe_suffix: ".exe".to_string(),
         staticlib_prefix: String::new(),
         staticlib_suffix: ".lib".to_string(),
-        os_family: Some("windows".to_string()),
+        families: vec!["windows".to_string()],
         crt_static_allows_dylibs: true,
         crt_static_respected: true,
         requires_uwtable: true,
diff --git a/src/test/ui/cfg/cfg-family.rs b/src/test/ui/cfg/cfg-family.rs
index 912bda4b5e500..c7d196a2aa6eb 100644
--- a/src/test/ui/cfg/cfg-family.rs
+++ b/src/test/ui/cfg/cfg-family.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-// run-pass
+// build-pass
 // pretty-expanded FIXME #23616
-// ignore-wasm32-bare no target_family
+// ignore-wasm32-bare no bare family
 // ignore-sgx
 
 #[cfg(windows)]
diff --git a/src/test/ui/cfg/cfg-target-family.rs b/src/test/ui/cfg/cfg-target-family.rs
index b4dc1b738638c..90a59fab8e250 100644
--- a/src/test/ui/cfg/cfg-target-family.rs
+++ b/src/test/ui/cfg/cfg-target-family.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-// run-pass
-// ignore-wasm32-bare no target_family
+// build-pass
 // ignore-sgx
 
 // pretty-expanded FIXME #23616
@@ -11,3 +10,7 @@ pub fn main() {
 #[cfg(target_family = "unix")]
 pub fn main() {
 }
+
+#[cfg(target_family="wasm")]
+pub fn main() {
+}