diff --git a/scripts/patch-kernel.sh b/scripts/patch-kernel.sh
index 5455a0cf8d5..91753ba2fdf 100755
--- a/scripts/patch-kernel.sh
+++ b/scripts/patch-kernel.sh
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ for i in ${patchdir}/${patchpattern} ; do
     [ -d "${i}" ] && echo "Ignoring subdirectory ${i}" && continue	
     echo ""
     echo "Applying ${i} using ${type}: " 
-    ${uncomp} ${i} | patch -p1 -E -d ${targetdir} 
+    ${uncomp} ${i} | ${PATCH:-patch} -f -p1 -E -d ${targetdir} 
     if [ $? != 0 ] ; then
         echo "Patch failed!  Please fix $i!"
 	exit 1