diff --git a/slideshow/util/makefile.mk b/slideshow/util/makefile.mk
index 4b4008624c1e..aba4094b242f 100644
--- a/slideshow/util/makefile.mk
+++ b/slideshow/util/makefile.mk
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ ENABLE_EXCEPTIONS=TRUE
 
 # --- Common ----------------------------------------------------------
 
-.IF "$(verbose)"!="" || "$(VERBOSE)"!=""
-CDEFS+= -DVERBOSE
+.IF "$(VERBOSE)"=="TRUE"
+CDEFS+=-DVERBOSE
 .ENDIF
 
 SHL1DLLPRE=
diff --git a/slideshow/util/makefile.pmk b/slideshow/util/makefile.pmk
index 5aef116cd677..362e7f862a71 100644
--- a/slideshow/util/makefile.pmk
+++ b/slideshow/util/makefile.pmk
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@
 #
 #*************************************************************************
 
-.IF "$(verbose)"!="" || "$(VERBOSE)"!=""
-CDEFS+= -DVERBOSE
+.IF "$(VERBOSE)"=="TRUE"
+CDEFS+=-DVERBOSE
 .ENDIF
 
 .IF "$(debug)"!="" || "$(DEBUG)"!=""