diff --git a/config/path b/config/path
index f16f18e7e1..ce072d6848 100644
--- a/config/path
+++ b/config/path
@@ -151,16 +151,20 @@ fi
 
 VERSION_SUFFIX=$TARGET_ARCH
 
-SILENT_OUT=3
-VERBOSE_OUT=4
-if [ "$VERBOSE" = yes ]; then
-  exec 3>&1
-  exec 4>&2
-else
-  exec 3>&2
-  exec 4>/dev/null
+# redirect formatted output
+if [ -z "${SILENT_OUT}" -a -z "${VERBOSE_OUT}" ]; then
+  export BUILD_INDENT_SIZE=4
+  export SILENT_OUT=3
+  export VERBOSE_OUT=4
+
+  if [ "$VERBOSE" = yes ]; then
+    exec 3>&1
+    exec 4>&2
+  else
+    exec 3>&2
+    exec 4>/dev/null
+  fi
 fi
-BUILD_INDENT_SIZE=4
 
 # If sourcing a package, configure any package variables dependent on variables we have set
 if [ -n "$PKG_DIR" -a -r $PKG_DIR/package.mk ]; then