diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 9d9757a5..99000790 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -770,11 +770,11 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM),openbsd)
     HAVE_VM_COMPILED=true
   else
   ifeq ($(ARCH),ppc)
-    BASE_CFLAGS += -maltivec
+    ALTIVEC_CFLAGS = -maltivec
     HAVE_VM_COMPILED=true
   endif
   ifeq ($(ARCH),ppc64)
-    BASE_CFLAGS += -maltivec
+    ALTIVEC_CFLAGS = -maltivec
     HAVE_VM_COMPILED=true
   endif
   ifeq ($(ARCH),sparc64)