diff --git a/config/options b/config/options
index 46ea9826a3..0ee0cadb42 100644
--- a/config/options
+++ b/config/options
@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@ fi
 # set default language for buildsystem
   export LC_ALL=C
 
+# set default independent variables
+ROOT="${PWD}"
+DISTRO_DIR="$ROOT/distributions"
+PROJECT_DIR="$ROOT/projects"
+
 # determines DISTRO, if not forced by user
 # default is LibreELEC
 if [ -z "$DISTRO" ]; then
@@ -31,10 +36,6 @@ else
   TARGET_ARCH="$ARCH"
 fi
 
-ROOT="${PWD}"
-DISTRO_DIR="$ROOT/distributions"
-PROJECT_DIR="$ROOT/projects"
-
 # include helper functions
 . config/functions