diff --git a/lang/python/python-package.mk b/lang/python/python-package.mk
index 6fcf58d28..9990d5340 100644
--- a/lang/python/python-package.mk
+++ b/lang/python/python-package.mk
@@ -115,8 +115,8 @@ define Build/Compile/PyMod
 endef
 
 PYTHON_PKG_SETUP_DIR ?=
-PYTHON_PKG_SETUP_ARGS:=--single-version-externally-managed
-PYTHON_PKG_SETUP_VARS:=
+PYTHON_PKG_SETUP_ARGS ?= --single-version-externally-managed
+PYTHON_PKG_SETUP_VARS ?=
 
 define PyBuild/Compile/Default
 	$(foreach pkg,$(HOST_PYTHON_PACKAGE_BUILD_DEPENDS),
diff --git a/lang/python/python3-package.mk b/lang/python/python3-package.mk
index 81013ca83..e52a15233 100644
--- a/lang/python/python3-package.mk
+++ b/lang/python/python3-package.mk
@@ -114,8 +114,8 @@ define Build/Compile/Py3Mod
 endef
 
 PYTHON3_PKG_SETUP_DIR ?=
-PYTHON3_PKG_SETUP_ARGS:=--single-version-externally-managed
-PYTHON3_PKG_SETUP_VARS:=
+PYTHON3_PKG_SETUP_ARGS ?= --single-version-externally-managed
+PYTHON3_PKG_SETUP_VARS ?=
 
 define Py3Build/Compile/Default
 	$(foreach pkg,$(HOST_PYTHON3_PACKAGE_BUILD_DEPENDS),