diff --git a/lib/libbe/Makefile b/lib/libbe/Makefile
index e70ed38ff024..9d2dc04918dd 100644
--- a/lib/libbe/Makefile
+++ b/lib/libbe/Makefile
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 # $FreeBSD$
 
+SHLIBDIR?=	/lib
+
 .include <src.opts.mk>
 
 PACKAGE=	lib${LIB}
 LIB=		be
-SHLIBDIR=	/lib
 SHLIB_MAJOR=	1
 SHLIB_MINOR=	0