diff --git a/make/projects-dir.mk b/make/projects-dir.mk
index 4535ce3a..024522d9 100644
--- a/make/projects-dir.mk
+++ b/make/projects-dir.mk
@@ -61,11 +61,12 @@ ifndef JANWARE_USER
     $(warning Assuming JANWARE_USER=$(JANWARE_USER) from id -un)
   endif
   $(warning Explicitly set environment variable JANWARE_USER to turn off this warning!)
-  export JANWARE_USER
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(JANWARE_USER),)
   OFFLINE                   ?= true
+else
+  export JANWARE_USER
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(OFFLINE),true)