diff --git a/release_lib.sh b/release_lib.sh
index 65d22cfa713..56ef68bac10 100644
--- a/release_lib.sh
+++ b/release_lib.sh
@@ -12,14 +12,8 @@ function make_control {
 # set environment variables REVISION, AUTHOR
 function gen_revision_author {
     REVISION=$(get_revision)
-
-    if [ -z $VERSION_PREFIX ] ; then
-        VERSION_PREFIX="v1.1."
-    fi
-
-    if [ -z $VERSION_POSTFIX ] ; then
-        VERSION_POSTFIX="-testing"
-    fi
+    VERSION_PREFIX="${VERSION_PREFIX:-v1.1.}"
+    VERSION_POSTFIX="${VERSION_POSTFIX:--testing}"
 
     if [[ $STANDALONE != 'yes' ]]; then