diff --git a/Makefile.system b/Makefile.system
index ca0879fe6..abc2c3dc5 100644
--- a/Makefile.system
+++ b/Makefile.system
@@ -1279,6 +1279,10 @@ CCOMMON_OPT	 += -DUSE_PAPI
 EXTRALIB	 += -lpapi -lperfctr
 endif
 
+ifdef BUFFERSIZE
+CCOMMON_OPT	 += -DBUFFERSIZE=$(BUFFERSIZE)
+endif
+
 ifdef DYNAMIC_THREADS
 CCOMMON_OPT	 += -DDYNAMIC_THREADS
 endif