diff --git a/usr.sbin/ctld/Makefile b/usr.sbin/ctld/Makefile
index 0b113667ca3b..7c342568fe35 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/ctld/Makefile
+++ b/usr.sbin/ctld/Makefile
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ LIBADD=		bsdxml l md sbuf util ucl m
 YFLAGS+=	-v
 CLEANFILES=	y.tab.c y.tab.h y.output
 
-WARNS=		6
+WARNS?=		6
 NO_WMISSING_VARIABLE_DECLARATIONS=
 
 .include <bsd.prog.mk>