diff --git a/dropshell-build/install_dropshell_build_host.sh b/dropshell-build/install_dropshell_build_host.sh
index eb67837..5b62b05 100755
--- a/dropshell-build/install_dropshell_build_host.sh
+++ b/dropshell-build/install_dropshell_build_host.sh
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ if [ -n "${SUDO_USER:-}" ] && [ "$SUDO_USER" != "root" ]; then
 fi
 
 # test sudo is working or we're root (return non-zero if not root!)
-if ! $SUDOCMD true; then
+if ! ${SUDOCMD:-} true; then
     echo "Error: This script must be run as root or with sudo privileges." >&2
     exit 1
 fi
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ function install_headers() {
         cd "libassert/build" || exit 1
         cmake .. -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
         make -j
-        "$SUDOCMD" make install
+        ${SUDOCMD:-} make install
         cd ../..
         rm -rf libassert
     fi