diff --git a/package/pkg-python.mk b/package/pkg-python.mk
index 589356a5..497c677c 100644
--- a/package/pkg-python.mk
+++ b/package/pkg-python.mk
@@ -11,12 +11,8 @@ HOST_PYTHON3_ENV = \
 	LDSHARED="$(HOSTCC) -shared" \
 	PYTHONPATH=$(HOST_DIR)/$(HOST_PYTHON3_SITEPACKAGES_DIR)
 
-HOST_PYTHON3_OPTS =
-
-ifeq ($(KBUILD_VERBOSE),0)
-HOST_PYTHON3_OPTS += \
-	-q
-endif
+HOST_PYTHON3_OPTS = \
+	$(if $(VERBOSE),,-q)
 
 define HOST_PYTHON3_BUILD
 	$(CHDIR)/$($(PKG)_DIR)/$($(PKG)_SUBDIR); \