diff --git a/builddefs/build_test.mk b/builddefs/build_test.mk
index 2cc1134da5b..d0de63c6f58 100644
--- a/builddefs/build_test.mk
+++ b/builddefs/build_test.mk
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@ PLATFORM:=TEST
 PLATFORM_KEY:=test
 BOOTLOADER_TYPE:=none
 
-ifeq ($(strip $(DEBUG)), 1)
+DEBUG ?= 0
+ifneq ($(strip $(DEBUG)), 0)
 CONSOLE_ENABLE = yes
 endif