diff --git a/makefile b/makefile
index 08a8d42b094..b664c4a1623 100644
--- a/makefile
+++ b/makefile
@@ -139,6 +139,9 @@ BUILD_ZLIB = 1
 # uncomment next line to generate a link map for exception handling in windows
 # MAP = 1
 
+# uncomment next line to generate verbose build information
+# VERBOSE = 1
+
 # specify optimization level or leave commented to use the default
 # (default is OPTIMIZE = 3 normally, or OPTIMIZE = 0 with symbols)
 # OPTIMIZE = 3
@@ -301,6 +304,11 @@ ifdef SYMBOLS
 CFLAGS += -g
 endif
 
+# add -v if we need verbose build information
+ifdef VERBOSE
+CFLAGS += -v
+endif
+
 # add a basic set of warnings
 CFLAGS += \
 	-Wall \