diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 3419a0a34e..d2e2064377 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ all=git-annex $(mans) docs
 GHC?=ghc
 GHCMAKE=$(GHC) $(GHCFLAGS) --make
 PREFIX=/usr
-CABAL=runhaskell Setup.hs
+CABAL?=runhaskell Setup.hs
 
 # Am I typing :make in vim? Do a fast build.
 ifdef VIM