diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 50cef84a21..18cb7d15c7 100755
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-CC ?= gcc
-CPP ?= g++
+CC = gcc
+CPP = g++
 AR = ar
 LD = ld
 
diff --git a/build-support/factor.sh b/build-support/factor.sh
index e059a7d84f..d5b8bd5411 100755
--- a/build-support/factor.sh
+++ b/build-support/factor.sh
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ set_md5sum() {
 set_gcc() {
     case $OS in
         openbsd) ensure_program_installed egcc; CC=egcc;;
-        *) CC=${CC:=gcc};;
+        *) CC=gcc;;
     esac
 }