diff --git a/misc/core.func b/misc/core.func
index 75a635d..960e114 100644
--- a/misc/core.func
+++ b/misc/core.func
@@ -98,13 +98,19 @@ else
 fi
 
 set_std_mode() {
-  if [ "$VERBOSE" = "yes" ]; then
+  if [ "${VERBOSE:-no}" = "yes" ]; then
     STD=""
   else
     STD="silent"
   fi
 }
 
+if [ -z "${VERBOSE+x}" ]; then
+  echo "DEBUG: VERBOSE is unset"
+else
+  echo "DEBUG: VERBOSE (pre): '$VERBOSE'"
+fi
+
 # Silent execution function
 silent() {
   "$@" >/dev/null 2>&1