diff --git a/build/shtool b/build/shtool
index 539784c42a..b9406cf665 100755
--- a/build/shtool
+++ b/build/shtool
@@ -993,7 +993,7 @@ install )
             if [ ".$opt_t" = .yes ]; then
                 echo "strip $dsttmp" 1>&2
             fi
-            $STRIP $dsttmp || shtool_exit $?
+            ${STRIP:-strip} $dsttmp || shtool_exit $?
         fi
         if [ ".$opt_o" != . ]; then
             if [ ".$opt_t" = .yes ]; then