diff --git a/common/environment/build-style/R-cran.sh b/common/environment/build-style/R-cran.sh
index d60f914f5f7..ded66793396 100644
--- a/common/environment/build-style/R-cran.sh
+++ b/common/environment/build-style/R-cran.sh
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
 makedepends+=" R"
 depends+=" R"
-distfiles="https://cran.r-project.org/src/contrib/${pkgname#R-cran-}_${version//r/-}.tar.gz"
 wrksrc="${XBPS_BUILDDIR}/${pkgname#R-cran-}"
+
+# default to cran
+if [ -z "$distfiles" ]; then
+	distfiles="https://cran.r-project.org/src/contrib/${pkgname#R-cran-}_${version//r/-}.tar.gz"
+fi