diff --git a/easybuild/tools/toolchain/toolchain.py b/easybuild/tools/toolchain/toolchain.py
index d89c10b71a..cfb908b684 100644
--- a/easybuild/tools/toolchain/toolchain.py
+++ b/easybuild/tools/toolchain/toolchain.py
@@ -247,6 +247,29 @@ def __init__(self, name=None, version=None, mns=None, class_constants=None, tcde
                 self.mod_short_name = self.mns.det_short_module_name(tc_dict)
                 self.init_modpaths = self.mns.det_init_modulepaths(tc_dict)
 
+    @property
+    def search_path_vars_headers(self):
+        """Return list of environment variables used as search paths for headers"""
+        return self._search_path_vars('cpp_headers')
+
+    @property
+    def search_path_vars_linker(self):
+        """Return list of environment variables used as search paths by the linker"""
+        return self._search_path_vars('linker')
+
+    def _search_path_vars(self, search_object):
+        """Return list of environment variables used as search paths for the given object"""
+        try:
+            search_path_opt = self.search_path[search_object]
+        except KeyError:
+            raise EasyBuildError("Failed to retrieve search path options for '%s'", search_object)
+
+        # default 'flags' option does not use search paths in the build environment
+        if search_path_opt == 'flags':
+            return []
+
+        return SEARCH_PATH[search_object][search_path_opt]
+
     def is_system_toolchain(self):
         """Return boolean to indicate whether this toolchain is a system toolchain."""
         return is_system_toolchain(self.name)
diff --git a/test/framework/toolchain.py b/test/framework/toolchain.py
index 11f5b5b0e3..0b36039d42 100644
--- a/test/framework/toolchain.py
+++ b/test/framework/toolchain.py
@@ -974,6 +974,11 @@ def test_search_path_cpp_headers(self):
                         "not found in toolchain environment"
                     )
                     self.assertIn(env_var, tc.variables, assert_fail_msg)
+                # check return of tc.search_path_vars_headers
+                expected_search_path_vars = cpp_headers_mode[build_opt]
+                if build_opt == 'flags':
+                    expected_search_path_vars = []
+                self.assertCountEqual(tc.search_path_vars_headers, expected_search_path_vars)
                 self.modtool.purge()
         # test with toolchain option
         for build_opt in cpp_headers_mode:
@@ -989,6 +994,11 @@ def test_search_path_cpp_headers(self):
                             "not found in toolchain environment"
                         )
                         self.assertIn(env_var, tc.variables, assert_fail_msg)
+                    # check return of tc.search_path_vars_headers
+                    expected_search_path_vars = cpp_headers_mode[tc_opt]
+                    if tc_opt == 'flags':
+                        expected_search_path_vars = []
+                    self.assertCountEqual(tc.search_path_vars_headers, expected_search_path_vars)
                 self.modtool.purge()
         # test wrong toolchain option
         tc = self.get_toolchain("foss", version="2018a")
@@ -1016,6 +1026,11 @@ def test_search_path_linker(self):
                         "not found in toolchain environment"
                     )
                     self.assertIn(env_var, tc.variables, assert_fail_msg)
+                # check return of tc.search_path_vars_linker
+                expected_search_path_vars = linker_mode[build_opt]
+                if build_opt == 'flags':
+                    expected_search_path_vars = []
+                self.assertCountEqual(tc.search_path_vars_linker, expected_search_path_vars)
                 self.modtool.purge()
         # test with toolchain option
         for build_opt in linker_mode:
@@ -1031,6 +1046,11 @@ def test_search_path_linker(self):
                             "not found in toolchain environment"
                         )
                         self.assertIn(env_var, tc.variables, assert_fail_msg)
+                    # check return of tc.search_path_vars_linker
+                    expected_search_path_vars = linker_mode[tc_opt]
+                    if tc_opt == 'flags':
+                        expected_search_path_vars = []
+                    self.assertCountEqual(tc.search_path_vars_linker, expected_search_path_vars)
                 self.modtool.purge()
         # test wrong toolchain option
         tc = self.get_toolchain("foss", version="2018a")