diff --git a/engine/Makefile b/engine/Makefile
index e34e2089d..b8012dfac 100644
--- a/engine/Makefile
+++ b/engine/Makefile
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ CLIENT_ONLY_CFLAGS=-DCLIENTONLY
 SERVER_ONLY_CFLAGS=-DSERVERONLY
 JOINT_CFLAGS=
 DEBUG_CFLAGS=-ggdb -g
-DEBUG_CFLAGS=-rdynamic
+DEBUG_CFLAGS?=-rdynamic
 PROFILE_CFLAGS=-pg
 
 ifeq ($(FTE_TARGET),win32)