diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 4d743d058..a13496e0c 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-VERSION		= 0.51
+VERSION		?= 0.51
 
 MODULES		= common plugins/gtkgui
 PREFIX		= /usr