... > Does anyone know why this commit is using a make version comparison? > That seems totally unnecessary to me; am I forgetting something? As > far as I remember, > > silence := $(findstring s,$(firstword -$(MAKEFLAGS))) Adding a $(filter-out --%,...) should help with old makes: Probably: silence := $(findstring s,$(firstword $(filter-out --%,$(MAKEFLAGS)))) David - Registered Address Lakeside, Bramley Road, Mount Farm, Milton Keynes, MK1 1PT, UK Registration No: 1397386 (Wales)