diff --git a/VERSION.cmake b/VERSION.cmake
index ac1f66f30..11e25bfa6 100644
--- a/VERSION.cmake
+++ b/VERSION.cmake
@@ -3,8 +3,13 @@ set( MIRALL_VERSION_MINOR 5 )
 set( MIRALL_VERSION_PATCH 0 )
 set( MIRALL_SOVERSION 0 )
 
-set( MIRALL_VERSION_SUFFIX "beta3" ) # "e.g. beta1, beta2, rc1"
-set( MIRALL_VERSION_BUILD  "0" ) # "Integer ID. Generated by the build system
+if ( NOT DEFINED MIRALL_VERSION_SUFFIX )
+    set( MIRALL_VERSION_SUFFIX "beta3" ) #e.g. beta1, beta2, rc1
+endif( NOT DEFINED MIRALL_VERSION_SUFFIX )
+
+if( NOT DEFINED MIRALL_VERSION_BUILD )
+    set( MIRALL_VERSION_BUILD "0" ) # Integer ID. Generated by the build system
+endif( NOT DEFINED MIRALL_VERSION_BUILD )
 
 # Composite defines
 # Used e.g. for libraries Keep at x.y.z.