diff --git a/tests/scripts/defines.sh b/tests/scripts/defines.sh
index 1f07e01762..952571df02 100755
--- a/tests/scripts/defines.sh
+++ b/tests/scripts/defines.sh
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ LDAPMODIFY=../clients/tools/ldapmodify
 LDAPADD=../clients/tools/ldapadd
 LDAPMODRDN=../clients/tools/ldapmodrdn
 SLAPDTESTER=$PROGDIR/slapd-tester
-: ${LVL=$SLAPD_DEBUG}
+LVL=${SLAPD_DEBUG-5}
 ADDR=127.0.0.1
 PORT=9009
 SLAVEPORT=9010