diff --git a/polymer/eduke32/Makefile.common b/polymer/eduke32/Makefile.common
index 3d212f2bc..f4b9f1eb4 100644
--- a/polymer/eduke32/Makefile.common
+++ b/polymer/eduke32/Makefile.common
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ PROFILER?=0
 MUDFLAP?=0
 
 # Select the default optimization level for release and debug builds.
-ifeq ($RELEASE,0)
+ifeq ($(RELEASE),0)
     OPTLEVEL?=0
 else
     OPTLEVEL?=2