diff --git a/include/image-commands.mk b/include/image-commands.mk
index c513f19d3a..c1d89825a3 100644
--- a/include/image-commands.mk
+++ b/include/image-commands.mk
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ define Build/netgear-chk
 		-o $@.new \
 		-k $@ \
 		-b $(NETGEAR_BOARD_ID) \
-		-r $(NETGEAR_REGION)
+		$(if $(NETGEAR_REGION),-r $(NETGEAR_REGION),)
 	mv $@.new $@
 endef