diff --git a/lib/libthr/Makefile b/lib/libthr/Makefile
index 100af3003769..8f21ce59f94a 100644
--- a/lib/libthr/Makefile
+++ b/lib/libthr/Makefile
@@ -8,13 +8,11 @@
 # (for system call stubs) to CFLAGS below.  -DSYSLIBC_SCCS affects just the
 # system call stubs.
 
+SHLIBDIR?= /lib
+
 .include <bsd.own.mk>
 MK_SSP=	no
 
-.if ${SHLIBDIR} == "/usr/lib"
-SHLIBDIR= /lib
-.endif
-
 LIB=thr
 SHLIB_MAJOR= 3
 WARNS?=	3