diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -5,9 +5,10 @@
 #########################################################################
 
 # compilers & flags
-CC        := g++
+CC        ?= gcc
+CXX       ?= g++
 CFLAGS    := -O3
-LD        := g++
+LD        := $(CXX)
 # Note: (1) If you want to enforce 32-bit or 64-bit compilation, 
 #           add "-m32" or "-m64" to both CFLAGS and LDFLAGS.
 #       (2) If you want to enforce a static linking of all libraries 
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ vpath %.cpp $(COHOMCALG_SRC_DIR)
 # macros for .c/.cpp dirs
 define make-goal-cpp
 $1/%.o: %.cpp
-	$(CC) $(INCLUDES) $(DEFS) $(CPPFLAGS) $(CXXFLAGS) -c $$< -o $$@
+	$(CXX) $(INCLUDES) $(DEFS) $(CPPFLAGS) $(CXXFLAGS) -c $$< -o $$@
 endef
 
 define make-goal-c