diff --git a/package/aiccu/aiccu.mk b/package/aiccu/aiccu.mk
index f2cd3dee74..fc328fd5a6 100644
--- a/package/aiccu/aiccu.mk
+++ b/package/aiccu/aiccu.mk
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ AICCU_LFDLAGS = $(TARGET_LDFLAGS)
 # aiccu forgets to link with gnutls' dependencies breaking the build when
 # linking statically
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-AICCU_LDFLAGS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --static --libs gnutls)
+AICCU_LDFLAGS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --static --libs gnutls`
 endif
 
 # dummy RPM_OPT_FLAGS to disable stripping
diff --git a/package/aircrack-ng/aircrack-ng.mk b/package/aircrack-ng/aircrack-ng.mk
index fc72c3b02b..7e5464d382 100644
--- a/package/aircrack-ng/aircrack-ng.mk
+++ b/package/aircrack-ng/aircrack-ng.mk
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ endif
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_LIBPCAP),y)
 AIRCRACK_NG_DEPENDENCIES += libpcap
 AIRCRACK_NG_MAKE_OPTS += HAVE_PCAP=yes \
-	$(if $(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),LIBPCAP="-lpcap $(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs)")
+	$(if $(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),LIBPCAP="-lpcap `$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs`")
 else
 AIRCRACK_NG_MAKE_OPTS += HAVE_PCAP=no
 endif
diff --git a/package/bustle/bustle.mk b/package/bustle/bustle.mk
index 1ba36e0a69..0b85536ea9 100644
--- a/package/bustle/bustle.mk
+++ b/package/bustle/bustle.mk
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ BUSTLE_DEPENDENCIES = libglib2 libpcap host-pkgconf
 
 BUSTLE_PCAP_FLAGS = "-lpcap"
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-BUSTLE_PCAP_FLAGS += $(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs)
+BUSTLE_PCAP_FLAGS += `$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs`
 endif
 
 define BUSTLE_BUILD_CMDS
diff --git a/package/dbus-python/dbus-python.mk b/package/dbus-python/dbus-python.mk
index 9bda0182ac..40799678f8 100644
--- a/package/dbus-python/dbus-python.mk
+++ b/package/dbus-python/dbus-python.mk
@@ -17,15 +17,15 @@ DBUS_PYTHON_DEPENDENCIES += python host-python
 
 DBUS_PYTHON_CONF_ENV += \
 	PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python2 \
-	PYTHON_INCLUDES="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python2-config --includes)" \
-	PYTHON_LIBS="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python2-config --ldflags)"
+	PYTHON_INCLUDES="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python2-config --includes`" \
+	PYTHON_LIBS="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python2-config --ldflags`"
 else
 DBUS_PYTHON_DEPENDENCIES += python3 host-python3
 
 DBUS_PYTHON_CONF_ENV += \
 	PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python3 \
-	PYTHON_INCLUDES="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python3-config --includes)" \
-	PYTHON_LIBS="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python3-config --ldflags)"
+	PYTHON_INCLUDES="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python3-config --includes`" \
+	PYTHON_LIBS="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python3-config --ldflags`"
 endif
 
 $(eval $(autotools-package))
diff --git a/package/dhcpdump/dhcpdump.mk b/package/dhcpdump/dhcpdump.mk
index 075631950f..15fc02f845 100644
--- a/package/dhcpdump/dhcpdump.mk
+++ b/package/dhcpdump/dhcpdump.mk
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ DHCPDUMP_LICENSE_FILES = LICENSE
 
 DHCPDUMP_LIBS = -lpcap
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-DHCPDUMP_LIBS += $(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs)
+DHCPDUMP_LIBS += `$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs`
 endif
 
 define DHCPDUMP_BUILD_CMDS
diff --git a/package/ejabberd/ejabberd.mk b/package/ejabberd/ejabberd.mk
index b413c8be69..7e22e0cab8 100644
--- a/package/ejabberd/ejabberd.mk
+++ b/package/ejabberd/ejabberd.mk
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ EJABBERD_ERLANG_LIBS = sasl crypto public_key ssl mnesia inets compiler
 EJABBERD_CONF_ENV = \
 	ac_cv_erlang_root_dir="$(HOST_DIR)/usr/lib/erlang" \
 	$(foreach lib,$(EJABBERD_ERLANG_LIBS), \
-		ac_cv_erlang_lib_dir_$(lib)="$(shell package/ejabberd/check-erlang-lib $(lib))")
+		ac_cv_erlang_lib_dir_$(lib)="`package/ejabberd/check-erlang-lib $(lib)`")
 
 define EJABBERD_INSTALL_TARGET_CMDS
 	$(TARGET_MAKE_ENV) $(MAKE) DESTDIR=$(TARGET_DIR) install -C $(@D)
diff --git a/package/fbv/fbv.mk b/package/fbv/fbv.mk
index 8788b0ec54..5f7dc8c63e 100644
--- a/package/fbv/fbv.mk
+++ b/package/fbv/fbv.mk
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ FBV_DEPENDENCIES += libpng
 
 # libpng in turn depends on other libraries
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-FBV_CONFIGURE_OPTS += "--libs=$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libpng --static)"
+FBV_CONFIGURE_OPTS += "--libs=`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libpng --static`"
 endif
 
 else
diff --git a/package/gdk-pixbuf/gdk-pixbuf.mk b/package/gdk-pixbuf/gdk-pixbuf.mk
index eb30215d79..3a66e61c73 100644
--- a/package/gdk-pixbuf/gdk-pixbuf.mk
+++ b/package/gdk-pixbuf/gdk-pixbuf.mk
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ GDK_PIXBUF_CONF_OPTS += --without-libtiff
 else
 GDK_PIXBUF_DEPENDENCIES += tiff host-pkgconf
 GDK_PIXBUF_CONF_ENV += \
-	LIBS='$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libtiff-4)'
+	LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libtiff-4`"
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_XLIB_LIBX11),y)
diff --git a/package/gstreamer1/gst1-plugins-bad/gst1-plugins-bad.mk b/package/gstreamer1/gst1-plugins-bad/gst1-plugins-bad.mk
index faf0e2ae03..ee936fe703 100644
--- a/package/gstreamer1/gst1-plugins-bad/gst1-plugins-bad.mk
+++ b/package/gstreamer1/gst1-plugins-bad/gst1-plugins-bad.mk
@@ -119,8 +119,8 @@ ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_GST1_PLUGINS_BAD_LIB_OPENGL_EGL),y)
 GST1_PLUGINS_BAD_CONF_OPTS += --enable-egl
 GST1_PLUGINS_BAD_DEPENDENCIES += libegl
 GST1_PLUGINS_BAD_CONF_ENV += \
-	CPPFLAGS="$(TARGET_CPPFLAGS) $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags egl)" \
-	LIBS="$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs egl)"
+	CPPFLAGS="$(TARGET_CPPFLAGS) `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags egl`" \
+	LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs egl`"
 else
 GST1_PLUGINS_BAD_CONF_OPTS += --disable-egl
 endif
diff --git a/package/iftop/iftop.mk b/package/iftop/iftop.mk
index bea05ba3b3..042f2b28eb 100644
--- a/package/iftop/iftop.mk
+++ b/package/iftop/iftop.mk
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ IFTOP_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING
 
 IFTOP_LIBS = -lpcap
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-IFTOP_LIBS += $(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs)
+IFTOP_LIBS += `$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs`
 endif
 IFTOP_CONF_ENV += LIBS+="$(IFTOP_LIBS)"
 
diff --git a/package/knock/knock.mk b/package/knock/knock.mk
index 2c0adb1e04..28db1eb722 100644
--- a/package/knock/knock.mk
+++ b/package/knock/knock.mk
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ KNOCK_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING
 KNOCK_DEPENDENCIES = libpcap
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-KNOCK_CONF_OPTS = LIBS="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs)"
+KNOCK_CONF_OPTS = LIBS="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs`"
 endif
 
 $(eval $(autotools-package))
diff --git a/package/kodi/kodi.mk b/package/kodi/kodi.mk
index cc42df40aa..ad61f0de64 100644
--- a/package/kodi/kodi.mk
+++ b/package/kodi/kodi.mk
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ else
 KODI_CONF_OPTS += --disable-gl --disable-rsxs --disable-sdl --disable-x11 --disable-xrandr
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_KODI_EGL_GLES),y)
 KODI_DEPENDENCIES += libegl libgles
-KODI_CONF_ENV += CXXFLAGS="$(TARGET_CXXFLAGS) $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags egl)"
+KODI_CONF_ENV += CXXFLAGS="$(TARGET_CXXFLAGS) `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags egl`"
 KODI_CONF_OPTS += --enable-gles
 else
 KODI_CONF_OPTS += --disable-gles
diff --git a/package/libgtk3/libgtk3.mk b/package/libgtk3/libgtk3.mk
index ee7329140e..80dbf947ca 100644
--- a/package/libgtk3/libgtk3.mk
+++ b/package/libgtk3/libgtk3.mk
@@ -149,8 +149,7 @@ HOST_LIBGTK3_DEPENDENCIES = \
 	host-pkgconf
 
 HOST_LIBGTK3_CFLAGS = \
-	$(shell $(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/pkgconf \
-	--cflags --libs gdk-pixbuf-2.0)
+	`$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/pkgconf --cflags --libs gdk-pixbuf-2.0`
 
 define HOST_LIBGTK3_CONFIGURE_CMDS
 	echo "#define GETTEXT_PACKAGE \"gtk30\"" >> $(@D)/gtk/config.h
diff --git a/package/libmicrohttpd/libmicrohttpd.mk b/package/libmicrohttpd/libmicrohttpd.mk
index a6662a73ad..f8a9d22f4e 100644
--- a/package/libmicrohttpd/libmicrohttpd.mk
+++ b/package/libmicrohttpd/libmicrohttpd.mk
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ LIBMICROHTTPD_CONF_OPTS = --disable-curl --disable-spdy --disable-examples
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_LIBMICROHTTPD_SSL),y)
 LIBMICROHTTPD_LICENSE = LGPLv2.1+
 LIBMICROHTTPD_DEPENDENCIES += host-pkgconf gnutls libgcrypt
-LIBMICROHTTPD_CONF_ENV += LIBS="$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs gnutls)"
+LIBMICROHTTPD_CONF_ENV += LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs gnutls`"
 LIBMICROHTTPD_CONF_OPTS += --enable-https --with-gnutls=$(STAGING_DIR)/usr \
 	--with-libgcrypt-prefix=$(STAGING_DIR)/usr
 else
diff --git a/package/libssh2/libssh2.mk b/package/libssh2/libssh2.mk
index 3b4df3755e..bf040a836e 100644
--- a/package/libssh2/libssh2.mk
+++ b/package/libssh2/libssh2.mk
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ LIBSSH2_CONF_OPTS += --with-libgcrypt \
 	--without-openssl
 # configure.ac forgets to link to dependent libraries of gcrypt breaking static
 # linking
-LIBSSH2_CONF_ENV += LIBS="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/libgcrypt-config --libs)"
+LIBSSH2_CONF_ENV += LIBS="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/libgcrypt-config --libs`"
 else
 LIBSSH2_DEPENDENCIES += openssl
 LIBSSH2_CONF_OPTS += --with-openssl \
diff --git a/package/libupnpp/libupnpp.mk b/package/libupnpp/libupnpp.mk
index caf61afecf..1075ff90f4 100644
--- a/package/libupnpp/libupnpp.mk
+++ b/package/libupnpp/libupnpp.mk
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ LIBUPNPP_DEPENDENCIES = expat libcurl libupnp
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
 LIBUPNPP_DEPENDENCIES += host-pkgconf
 LIBUPNPP_CONF_ENV += \
-	LIBS='$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libupnp libcurl)'
+	LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libupnp libcurl`"
 endif
 
 $(eval $(autotools-package))
diff --git a/package/lmbench/lmbench.mk b/package/lmbench/lmbench.mk
index f593428ac1..dc758c6faf 100644
--- a/package/lmbench/lmbench.mk
+++ b/package/lmbench/lmbench.mk
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ LMBENCH_CFLAGS = $(TARGET_CFLAGS)
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_LIBTIRPC),y)
 LMBENCH_DEPENDENCIES += host-pkgconf libtirpc
-LMBENCH_CFLAGS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags libtirpc)
-LMBENCH_LDLIBS = $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libtirpc)
+LMBENCH_CFLAGS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags libtirpc`
+LMBENCH_LDLIBS = `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libtirpc`
 endif
 
 define LMBENCH_CONFIGURE_CMDS
diff --git a/package/logrotate/logrotate.mk b/package/logrotate/logrotate.mk
index 0af7f4aa3e..4a70040279 100644
--- a/package/logrotate/logrotate.mk
+++ b/package/logrotate/logrotate.mk
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ LOGROTATE_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING
 LOGROTATE_DEPENDENCIES = popt host-pkgconf
 # tarball does not have a generated configure script
 LOGROTATE_AUTORECONF = YES
-LOGROTATE_CONF_ENV = LIBS="$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs popt)"
+LOGROTATE_CONF_ENV = LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs popt`"
 LOGROTATE_CONF_OPTS = --without-selinux
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_ACL),y)
diff --git a/package/madplay/madplay.mk b/package/madplay/madplay.mk
index ff12aa111c..2606ac8d66 100644
--- a/package/madplay/madplay.mk
+++ b/package/madplay/madplay.mk
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ MADPLAY_DEPENDENCIES = libmad libid3tag $(if $(BR2_PACKAGE_GETTEXT),gettext)
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_MADPLAY_ALSA),y)
 MADPLAY_CONF_OPTS += --with-alsa
 MADPLAY_DEPENDENCIES += host-pkgconf alsa-lib
-MADPLAY_CONF_ENV += LIBS="$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs alsa)"
+MADPLAY_CONF_ENV += LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs alsa`"
 endif
 
 $(eval $(autotools-package))
diff --git a/package/mpg123/mpg123.mk b/package/mpg123/mpg123.mk
index a16e4002ad..4c534e2b1a 100644
--- a/package/mpg123/mpg123.mk
+++ b/package/mpg123/mpg123.mk
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ MPG123_CONF_OPTS += --with-default-audio=portaudio
 MPG123_DEPENDENCIES += portaudio
 # configure script does NOT use pkg-config to figure out how to link
 # with portaudio, breaking static linking as portaudio uses pthreads
-MPG123_CONF_ENV += LIBS='$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs portaudio-2.0)'
+MPG123_CONF_ENV += LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs portaudio-2.0`"
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_SDL),y)
diff --git a/package/neardal/neardal.mk b/package/neardal/neardal.mk
index ddaecbeb12..c3164ef0da 100644
--- a/package/neardal/neardal.mk
+++ b/package/neardal/neardal.mk
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ endif
 # forgets to take that into account, causing the detection to fail
 # when linking statically
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-NEARDAL_CONF_ENV += LIBS='$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs ncurses)'
+NEARDAL_CONF_ENV += LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs ncurses`"
 endif
 
 define NEARDAL_INSTALL_NCL
diff --git a/package/ngrep/ngrep.mk b/package/ngrep/ngrep.mk
index f2fcb73c0a..c4ad528292 100644
--- a/package/ngrep/ngrep.mk
+++ b/package/ngrep/ngrep.mk
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ NGREP_INSTALL_STAGING = YES
 
 NGREP_LIBS = -lpcap -lpcre
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-NGREP_LIBS += $(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs)
+NGREP_LIBS += `$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs`
 endif
 NGREP_CONF_ENV += LIBS+="$(NGREP_LIBS)"
 
diff --git a/package/nmap/nmap.mk b/package/nmap/nmap.mk
index d46d58b4ec..d450f5e99b 100644
--- a/package/nmap/nmap.mk
+++ b/package/nmap/nmap.mk
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@ NMAP_LICENSE = GPLv2
 NMAP_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING
 
 # needed by libpcap
-NMAP_LIBS_FOR_STATIC_LINK += $(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs)
+NMAP_LIBS_FOR_STATIC_LINK += `$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs`
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-NMAP_CONF_ENV += LIBS='$(NMAP_LIBS_FOR_STATIC_LINK)'
+NMAP_CONF_ENV += LIBS="$(NMAP_LIBS_FOR_STATIC_LINK)"
 endif
 
 # for 0001-libdnet-wrapper-configure.patch
diff --git a/package/openldap/openldap.mk b/package/openldap/openldap.mk
index ecb1bcec68..4c3a71ab62 100644
--- a/package/openldap/openldap.mk
+++ b/package/openldap/openldap.mk
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ endif
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_OPENSSL),y)
 OPENLDAP_MP = bignum
 OPENLDAP_DEPENDENCIES += openssl
-OPENLDAP_CONF_ENV = LIBS="$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libssl libcrypto)"
+OPENLDAP_CONF_ENV = LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libssl libcrypto`"
 else ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_GMP),y)
 OPENLDAP_MP = gmp
 OPENLDAP_DEPENDENCIES += gmp
diff --git a/package/php/php.mk b/package/php/php.mk
index 53aaecf06d..39f4e2a8ef 100644
--- a/package/php/php.mk
+++ b/package/php/php.mk
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ PHP_CONF_OPTS += --with-openssl=$(STAGING_DIR)/usr
 PHP_DEPENDENCIES += openssl
 # openssl needs zlib, but the configure script forgets to link against
 # it causing detection failures with static linking
-PHP_STATIC_LIBS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs --static openssl)
+PHP_STATIC_LIBS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs --static openssl`
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_PHP_EXT_LIBXML2),y)
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ endif
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_PHP_EXT_SQLITE),y)
 PHP_CONF_OPTS += --with-sqlite3=$(STAGING_DIR)/usr
 PHP_DEPENDENCIES += sqlite
-PHP_STATIC_LIBS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs --static sqlite3)
+PHP_STATIC_LIBS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs --static sqlite3`
 endif
 
 ### PDO
diff --git a/package/poppler/poppler.mk b/package/poppler/poppler.mk
index 234b7ccd16..6142cbaf90 100644
--- a/package/poppler/poppler.mk
+++ b/package/poppler/poppler.mk
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_TIFF),y)
 POPPLER_CONF_OPTS += --enable-libtiff
 # Help poppler to find libtiff in static linking scenarios
 POPPLER_CONF_ENV += \
-	LIBTIFF_LIBS="$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libtiff-4)"
+	LIBTIFF_LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libtiff-4`"
 POPPLER_DEPENDENCIES += tiff
 else
 POPPLER_CONF_OPTS += --disable-libtiff
diff --git a/package/prboom/prboom.mk b/package/prboom/prboom.mk
index 3d131cdd46..5f5e7fb677 100644
--- a/package/prboom/prboom.mk
+++ b/package/prboom/prboom.mk
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ endif
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
 # SDL_mixer uses symbols from SDL, but ends up after it on the link
 # cmdline. Fix it by forcing the SDL libs at the very end
-PRBOOM_CONF_ENV += LIBS="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/sdl-config --static-libs)"
+PRBOOM_CONF_ENV += LIBS="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/sdl-config --static-libs`"
 endif
 
 PRBOOM_CONF_OPTS = \
diff --git a/package/ptpd2/ptpd2.mk b/package/ptpd2/ptpd2.mk
index 6b2e6bcaca..cd49fe563b 100644
--- a/package/ptpd2/ptpd2.mk
+++ b/package/ptpd2/ptpd2.mk
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ PTPD2_LICENSE = BSD-2c
 PTPD2_LICENSE_FILES = COPYRIGHT
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-PTPD2_CONF_OPTS += LIBS="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs)"
+PTPD2_CONF_OPTS += LIBS="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs`"
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_NETSNMP),y)
diff --git a/package/python-gobject/python-gobject.mk b/package/python-gobject/python-gobject.mk
index c47954cfc0..74cb0540cc 100644
--- a/package/python-gobject/python-gobject.mk
+++ b/package/python-gobject/python-gobject.mk
@@ -20,13 +20,13 @@ PYTHON_GOBJECT_DEPENDENCIES += python host-python
 
 PYTHON_GOBJECT_CONF_ENV = \
 	PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python2 \
-	PYTHON_INCLUDES="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python2-config --includes)"
+	PYTHON_INCLUDES="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python2-config --includes`"
 else
 PYTHON_GOBJECT_DEPENDENCIES += python3 host-python3
 
 PYTHON_GOBJECT_CONF_ENV = \
 	PYTHON=$(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/python3 \
-	PYTHON_INCLUDES="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python3-config --includes)"
+	PYTHON_INCLUDES="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/python3-config --includes`"
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_LIBFFI),y)
diff --git a/package/python-pygame/python-pygame.mk b/package/python-pygame/python-pygame.mk
index 51f1c20d13..995f80ad79 100644
--- a/package/python-pygame/python-pygame.mk
+++ b/package/python-pygame/python-pygame.mk
@@ -66,14 +66,14 @@ define PYTHON_PYGAME_UNCONFIGURE_SCRAP
 endef
 endif
 
-PYTHON_PYGAME_SDL_FLAGS = $(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/sdl-config --cflags)
-PYTHON_PYGAME_SDL_FLAGS += $(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/sdl-config --libs)
+PYTHON_PYGAME_SDL_FLAGS = `$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/sdl-config --cflags`
+PYTHON_PYGAME_SDL_FLAGS += `$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/sdl-config --libs`
 
 # Pygame needs a Setup file where options should be commented out if
 # dependencies are not available
 define PYTHON_PYGAME_CONFIGURE_CMDS
 	cp -f $(@D)/Setup.in $(@D)/Setup
-	$(SED) 's~^SDL = ~SDL = $(PYTHON_PYGAME_SDL_FLAGS) \n#~' $(@D)/Setup
+	$(SED) "s~^SDL = ~SDL = $(PYTHON_PYGAME_SDL_FLAGS) \n#~" $(@D)/Setup
 	$(SED) 's/^pypm/#pypm/' $(@D)/Setup
 	$(PYTHON_PYGAME_UNCONFIGURE_IMAGE)
 	$(PYTHON_PYGAME_UNCONFIGURE_FONT)
diff --git a/package/qt/qt.mk b/package/qt/qt.mk
index 02b6db778a..e0e5d22bde 100644
--- a/package/qt/qt.mk
+++ b/package/qt/qt.mk
@@ -230,9 +230,9 @@ QT_DEPENDENCIES += fontconfig xlib_libXi xlib_libX11 xlib_libXrender \
 	xlib_libXcursor xlib_libXrandr xlib_libXext xlib_libXv
 # Using pkg-config avoids us some logic to redefine and sed again mkspecs files
 # to add X11 include path and link options
-QT_CFLAGS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags x11)
-QT_CXXFLAGS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags x11)
-QT_LDFLAGS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs x11 xext)
+QT_CFLAGS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags x11`
+QT_CXXFLAGS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags x11`
+QT_LDFLAGS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs x11 xext`
 QT_CONFIGURE_OPTS += -arch $(QT_EMB_PLATFORM) \
 		-xplatform qws/linux-$(QT_EMB_PLATFORM)-g++ -x11 -no-gtkstyle -no-sm \
 		-no-openvg
@@ -329,9 +329,9 @@ endif
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_QT_OPENGL_ES),y)
 QT_CONFIGURE_OPTS += -opengl es2 -egl
 QT_DEPENDENCIES += libgles libegl
-QT_CFLAGS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags egl)
-QT_CXXFLAGS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags egl)
-QT_LDFLAGS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs egl)
+QT_CFLAGS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags egl`
+QT_CXXFLAGS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags egl`
+QT_LDFLAGS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs egl`
 else
 QT_CONFIGURE_OPTS += -no-opengl
 endif
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ QT_QMAKE = $(HOST_DIR)/usr/bin/qmake -spec qws/linux-$(QT_EMB_PLATFORM)-g++
 ################################################################################
 define QT_QMAKE_SET
 	$(SED) '/$(1)/d' $(3)/mkspecs/qws/linux-$(QT_EMB_PLATFORM)-g++/qmake.conf
-	$(SED) '/include.*qws.conf/a$(1) = $(2)' $(3)/mkspecs/qws/linux-$(QT_EMB_PLATFORM)-g++/qmake.conf
+	$(SED) "/include.*qws.conf/a$(1) = $(2)" $(3)/mkspecs/qws/linux-$(QT_EMB_PLATFORM)-g++/qmake.conf
 endef
 
 ifneq ($(QT_CONFIG_FILE),)
diff --git a/package/tcpdump/tcpdump.mk b/package/tcpdump/tcpdump.mk
index 6a88305a15..14b3503937 100644
--- a/package/tcpdump/tcpdump.mk
+++ b/package/tcpdump/tcpdump.mk
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ TCPDUMP_CONF_OPTS = \
 TCPDUMP_DEPENDENCIES = zlib libpcap
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-TCPDUMP_CONF_OPTS += LIBS="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs)"
+TCPDUMP_CONF_OPTS += LIBS="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs`"
 endif
 
 # make install installs an unneeded extra copy of the tcpdump binary
diff --git a/package/tcpreplay/tcpreplay.mk b/package/tcpreplay/tcpreplay.mk
index 1dbe453f4d..f6bd08f14b 100644
--- a/package/tcpreplay/tcpreplay.mk
+++ b/package/tcpreplay/tcpreplay.mk
@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@ TCPREPLAY_CONF_OPTS = --with-libpcap=$(STAGING_DIR)/usr
 TCPREPLAY_DEPENDENCIES = libpcap
 
 # libpcap may depend on symbols in other libs
-TCPREPLAY_LIBS = $(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --libs)
-TCPREPLAY_CONF_ENV += ac_cv_search_pcap_close='$(TCPREPLAY_LIBS)' \
-	LIBS="$(TCPREPLAY_LIBS)"
+TCPREPLAY_LIBS = $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --libs
+TCPREPLAY_CONF_ENV += ac_cv_search_pcap_close="`$(TCPREPLAY_LIBS)`" \
+	LIBS="`$(TCPREPLAY_LIBS)`"
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_TCPDUMP),y)
 TCPREPLAY_CONF_ENV += ac_cv_path_tcpdump_path=/usr/sbin/tcpdump
diff --git a/package/ti-utils/ti-utils.mk b/package/ti-utils/ti-utils.mk
index 3141219f9f..06aca6d409 100644
--- a/package/ti-utils/ti-utils.mk
+++ b/package/ti-utils/ti-utils.mk
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ TI_UTILS_DEPENDENCIES = libnl host-pkgconf
 TI_UTILS_LICENSE = BSD-3c
 TI_UTILS_LICENSE_FILES = COPYING
 
-TI_UTILS_CFLAGS = $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags libnl-genl-3.0)
-TI_UTILS_LIBS = $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libnl-genl-3.0)
+TI_UTILS_CFLAGS = `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --cflags libnl-genl-3.0`
+TI_UTILS_LIBS = `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libnl-genl-3.0`
 
 define TI_UTILS_BUILD_CMDS
 	$(MAKE1) NFSROOT="$(STAGING_DIR)" \
diff --git a/package/upmpdcli/upmpdcli.mk b/package/upmpdcli/upmpdcli.mk
index 9531b61afc..8dde87dc72 100644
--- a/package/upmpdcli/upmpdcli.mk
+++ b/package/upmpdcli/upmpdcli.mk
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
 # manually pass it to make.
 UPMPDCLI_DEPENDENCIES += host-pkgconf
 UPMPDCLI_MAKE_OPTS = \
-	LIBS='$(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs expat libcurl libupnp)'
+	LIBS="`$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs expat libcurl libupnp`"
 endif
 
 # Upmpdcli only runs if user upmpdcli exists
diff --git a/package/vsftpd/vsftpd.mk b/package/vsftpd/vsftpd.mk
index 3091f06d4e..e5b505dcc5 100644
--- a/package/vsftpd/vsftpd.mk
+++ b/package/vsftpd/vsftpd.mk
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ endif
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_PACKAGE_OPENSSL),y)
 VSFTPD_DEPENDENCIES += openssl host-pkgconf
-VSFTPD_LIBS += $(shell $(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libssl libcrypto)
+VSFTPD_LIBS += `$(PKG_CONFIG_HOST_BINARY) --libs libssl libcrypto`
 VSFTPD_POST_CONFIGURE_HOOKS += VSFTPD_ENABLE_SSL
 endif
 
diff --git a/package/xl2tp/xl2tp.mk b/package/xl2tp/xl2tp.mk
index d6b849a1c9..a8237164a2 100644
--- a/package/xl2tp/xl2tp.mk
+++ b/package/xl2tp/xl2tp.mk
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ XL2TP_LICENSE = GPLv2
 XL2TP_LICENSE_FILES = LICENSE
 
 ifeq ($(BR2_STATIC_LIBS),y)
-XL2TP_LDLIBS = LDLIBS="$(shell $(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs)"
+XL2TP_LDLIBS = LDLIBS="`$(STAGING_DIR)/usr/bin/pcap-config --static --additional-libs`"
 endif
 
 define XL2TP_BUILD_CMDS