diff --git a/tools/config.py b/tools/config.py
index 76c38c43e4..06d8e3afa6 100644
--- a/tools/config.py
+++ b/tools/config.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import os
 # Implementation of mbed configuration mechanism
 from tools.utils import json_file_to_dict
 from tools.targets import CUMULATIVE_ATTRIBUTES, TARGET_MAP, \
-    generate_py_target, get_resolution_order
+    generate_py_target, get_resolution_order, Target
 
 # Base class for all configuration exceptions
 class ConfigException(Exception):
diff --git a/tools/targets.py b/tools/targets.py
index 927dfd6699..62d2c24c9a 100644
--- a/tools/targets.py
+++ b/tools/targets.py
@@ -266,16 +266,9 @@ class Target(namedtuple("Target", "name json_data resolution_order resolution_or
         in 'new_targets'. It is an error to add a target with a name that
         already exists.
         """
-        crt_data = Target.get_json_target_data()
         for target_key, target_value in new_targets.items():
-            if crt_data.has_key(target_key):
-                raise Exception(
-                    "Attempt to add target '%s' that already exists"
-                    % target_key)
-            # Add target data to the internal target dictionary
-            crt_data[target_key] = target_value
             # Create the new target and add it to the relevant data structures
-            new_target = Target(target_key)
+            new_target = generate_py_target(new_targets, target_key)
             TARGETS.append(new_target)
             TARGET_MAP[target_key] = new_target
             TARGET_NAMES.append(target_key)