diff --git a/pkg/pkg.bzl b/pkg/pkg.bzl
index 2756fa98..dcc4a828 100644
--- a/pkg/pkg.bzl
+++ b/pkg/pkg.bzl
@@ -271,9 +271,18 @@ def _pkg_deb_impl(ctx):
         "--changes=" + changes_file.path,
         "--data=" + ctx.file.data.path,
         "--package=" + ctx.attr.package,
-        "--architecture=" + ctx.attr.architecture,
         "--maintainer=" + ctx.attr.maintainer,
     ]
+
+    # Version and description can be specified by a file or inlined
+    if ctx.attr.architecture_file:
+        if ctx.attr.architecture != "all":
+            fail("Both architecture and architecture_file attributes were specified")
+        args += ["--architecture=@" + ctx.file.architecture_file.path]
+        files += [ctx.file.architecture_file]
+    else:
+        args += ["--architecture=" + ctx.attr.architecture]
+
     if ctx.attr.preinst:
         args += ["--preinst=@" + ctx.file.preinst.path]
         files += [ctx.file.preinst]
@@ -493,7 +502,15 @@ pkg_deb_impl = rule(
             doc = "Package name",
             mandatory = True,
         ),
-        "architecture": attr.string(default = "all"),
+        "architecture_file": attr.label(
+            doc = """File that contains the package architecture.
+            Must not be used with architecture.""",
+            allow_single_file = True,
+        ),
+        "architecture": attr.string(
+            default = "all",
+            doc = """Package architecture. Must not be used with architecture_file.""",
+        ),
         "distribution": attr.string(default = "unstable"),
         "urgency": attr.string(default = "medium"),
         "maintainer": attr.string(mandatory = True),
diff --git a/pkg/private/make_deb.py b/pkg/private/make_deb.py
index 02d036c4..67f8c432 100644
--- a/pkg/private/make_deb.py
+++ b/pkg/private/make_deb.py
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ def main():
       description=helpers.GetFlagValue(options.description),
       maintainer=helpers.GetFlagValue(options.maintainer),
       section=options.section,
-      architecture=options.architecture,
+      architecture=helpers.GetFlagValue(options.architecture),
       depends=GetFlagValues(options.depends),
       suggests=options.suggests,
       enhances=options.enhances,