diff --git a/Makefile.unix b/Makefile.unix
index d1ee224a67e..08b7fe3b075 100644
--- a/Makefile.unix
+++ b/Makefile.unix
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@ endif
 # Default tools
 
 ifeq ($(DIRLINK),)
-DIRLINK = $(TOPDIR)/tools/link.sh
-DIRUNLINK = $(TOPDIR)/tools/unlink.sh
+export DIRLINK = $(TOPDIR)/tools/link.sh
+export DIRUNLINK = $(TOPDIR)/tools/unlink.sh
 endif
 
 # This define is passed as EXTRADEFINES for kernel-mode builds.  It is also passed