diff --git a/build.sh b/build.sh
index 0dcbab82..df1f01a0 100755
--- a/build.sh
+++ b/build.sh
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 set -euo pipefail
 set -x
 
-if [ -z "$NO_REMOTE" ]
+if [ -z "${NO_REMOTE:-}" ]
 then
-    remote_args="--builders 'ssh://charlotte@sunspear.vanpetegem.me' --extra-substituters 'ssh://charlotte@sunspear.vanpetegem.me'"
+    remote_args="--builders ssh://charlotte@sunspear.vanpetegem.me --extra-substituters ssh://charlotte@sunspear.vanpetegem.me"
 else
     remote_args=""
 fi