diff --git a/make-distribution.sh b/make-distribution.sh
index 351b9e7d89a32..a38fd8df17206 100755
--- a/make-distribution.sh
+++ b/make-distribution.sh
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ fi
 # Build uber fat JAR
 cd "$SPARK_HOME"
 
-export MAVEN_OPTS="-Xmx2g -XX:MaxPermSize=512M -XX:ReservedCodeCacheSize=512m"
+export MAVEN_OPTS="${MAVEN_OPTS:--Xmx2g -XX:MaxPermSize=512M -XX:ReservedCodeCacheSize=512m}"
 
 # Store the command as an array because $MVN variable might have spaces in it.
 # Normal quoting tricks don't work.