diff --git a/pathnames.h b/pathnames.h
index 943830c..691293c 100644
--- a/pathnames.h
+++ b/pathnames.h
@@ -141,7 +141,10 @@
 #endif
 
 /* chroot directory for unprivileged user when UsePrivilegeSeparation=yes */
+#ifndef _PATH_PRIVSEP_CHROOT_DIR
 #define _PATH_PRIVSEP_CHROOT_DIR	"/var/empty"
+#endif
+
 #ifndef _PATH_LS
 #define _PATH_LS			"ls"
 #endif