diff --git a/package/base-files/files/lib/upgrade/common.sh b/package/base-files/files/lib/upgrade/common.sh
index 49c2fa0e7b..a4de7e1666 100644
--- a/package/base-files/files/lib/upgrade/common.sh
+++ b/package/base-files/files/lib/upgrade/common.sh
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ ask_bool() {
 }
 
 v() {
-	[ "$VERBOSE" -ge 1 ] && echo "$@"
+	[ -n "$VERBOSE" ] && [ "$VERBOSE" -ge 1 ] && echo "$@"
 }
 
 json_string() {