--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -52,12 +52,14 @@
 endif
 
 # for some reason the .c files need it, else GNU_STACK=RWE
-OPT_FLAGS  := -O2 $(ASFLAGS)
+# Gentoo's CFLAGS should be honored
+OPT_FLAGS  := $(CFLAGS) $(ASFLAGS)
 PTHREAD := -lpthread
 # define stripping of binaries/libs here, or set these on make's commandline,
 # else you'll loose the chpax flags!
-LDFLAGS :=
-SHLDFLAGS :=
+# Gentoo's LDFLAGS should be honored
+LDFLAGS := $(LDFLAGS)
+SHLDFLAGS := $(LDFLAGS)
 ifndef RUNDIR
 RUNDIR := .
 endif