diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 65683fd..6f211bc 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-PLUGINS = df cpu if_ if_err_ load memory processes swap netstat uptime interrupts irqstats ntpdate plugindir_
+PLUGINS ?= df cpu if_ if_err_ load memory processes swap netstat uptime interrupts irqstats ntpdate plugindir_
 CONFIGURATION_FILE ?= munin-node.conf
 INPUT_FILE ?= munin-node.in
 TARGET_FILE ?= munin-node
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 58730a2..04e9649 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -44,13 +44,17 @@ Requirements
 Installation
 ------------
 Download source and unpack it.
-Edit Makefile to suit your choice of plugins
 
 Assemble the munin-node shell script by running `make`:
 ```shell
 $ make
 ```
 
+You may assemble a reduced script by including only specific plugins:
+```shell
+$ make PLUGINS="cpu load uptime"
+```
+
 Copy munin-node to a suitable location (/usr/local/bin/) and make it
 executable (there will be a "make install" at a later release)