-check_gcc=$(shell if $(CC) $(1) -S -o /dev/null -xc /dev/null > /dev/null 2>&1; \
- then echo "$(1)"; else echo "$(2)"; fi)
+check_gcc=$(shell \
+ if [ "$(1)" != "" ]; then \
+ if $(CC) $(1) -S -o /dev/null -xc /dev/null > /dev/null 2>&1; \
+ then echo "$(1)"; else echo "$(2)"; fi \
+ fi)
+
+# Setup some shortcuts so that silent mode is silent like it should be
+ifeq ($(subst s,,$(MAKEFLAGS)),$(MAKEFLAGS))
+export MAKE_IS_SILENT=n
+SECHO=@echo
+else
+export MAKE_IS_SILENT=y
+SECHO=-@false
+endif