diff --git a/make/projects-dir.mk b/make/projects-dir.mk
index 1bdf2f53..948e7f78 100644
--- a/make/projects-dir.mk
+++ b/make/projects-dir.mk
@@ -47,12 +47,15 @@ ifeq ($(JANWARE_USER),)
 endif
 
 export CVSROOT = :ext:$(JANWARE_USER)@cvs.jannet.de:/home/jannet/arc/cvs
-export CVS_RSH = ssh
+
+ifeq ($(CVS_RSH),)
+  export CVS_RSH = ssh
+endif
 
 ifneq ($(CLONE_FROM_USER),)
   export PGIT_CLONE_FROM_USER = $(CLONE_FROM_USER)
 else
-  export PGIT_CLONE_FROM_USER=$(JANWARE_USER)
+  export PGIT_CLONE_FROM_USER = $(JANWARE_USER)
 endif
 
 # ------------ commands