diff --git a/package/base-files/files/lib/upgrade/common.sh b/package/base-files/files/lib/upgrade/common.sh
index f43c7db3c1..fbf2280385 100755
--- a/package/base-files/files/lib/upgrade/common.sh
+++ b/package/base-files/files/lib/upgrade/common.sh
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ ask_bool() {
 }
 
 v() {
-	[ "$VERBOSE" -ge 1 ] && echo "$@"
+	[ -n "$VERBOSE" ] && [ "$VERBOSE" -ge 1 ] && echo "$@"
 }
 
 json_string() {