diff --git a/lib/Makefile b/lib/Makefile
index 181d4a7..a4a156d 100644
--- a/lib/Makefile
+++ b/lib/Makefile
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 LIBVER_MINOR := $(shell echo $(LIBVER_MINOR_SCRIPT))
 LIBVER_PATCH := $(shell echo $(LIBVER_PATCH_SCRIPT))
 LIBVER := $(shell echo $(LIBVER_SCRIPT))
-VERSION:= $(LIBVER)
+VERSION?= $(LIBVER)
 
 DESTDIR?=
 PREFIX ?= /usr/local