diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index cd67bd9ce4..133228de2a 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 HAVE_FILE_LOGGER=1
-NEED_CXX_LINKER=0
-NEED_GOLD_LINKER=0
+NEED_CXX_LINKER?=0
+NEED_GOLD_LINKER?=0
 MISSING_DECLS   =0
 
 ifneq ($(C90_BUILD),)