diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 124ddc9..4c8cdd4 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -11,10 +11,14 @@ release: npm-build translations
 		exit 1
 	fi
 
-	test -d releases/$$VERSION && rm -fr releases/$$VERSION
-	mkdir -p releases/$$VERSION/side_menu
-	cp -r README.md CHANGELOG.md appinfo css lib img l10n js src templates screenshots vendor releases/$$VERSION/side_menu
-	cd releases/$$VERSION
+	if [ -z "$$RELEASE_DIRECTORY" ]; then
+		RELEASE_DIRECTORY=releases
+	fi
+
+	test -d $$RELEASE_DIRECTORY/$$VERSION && rm -fr $$RELEASE_DIRECTORY/$$VERSION
+	mkdir -p $$RELEASE_DIRECTORY/$$VERSION/side_menu
+	cp -r README.md CHANGELOG.md appinfo css lib img l10n js src templates screenshots vendor $$RELEASE_DIRECTORY/$$VERSION/side_menu
+	cd $$RELEASE_DIRECTORY/$$VERSION
 	zip -r side_menu_v$$VERSION.zip side_menu
 	tar cvzf side_menu_v$$VERSION.tar.gz side_menu
 	rm -fr side_menu