diff --git a/cad/ngspice_rework/Makefile b/cad/ngspice_rework/Makefile
index c6578e56c7d5..9fc32a5f2ba8 100644
--- a/cad/ngspice_rework/Makefile
+++ b/cad/ngspice_rework/Makefile
@@ -21,6 +21,12 @@ GNU_CONFIGURE=	yes
 USE_LIBTOOL_VER?=15
 USE_GMAKE=	yes
 
+.ifndef PACKAGE_BUILDING
+CONFIGURE_ARGS+=	--with-readline=yes
+.else
+CONFIGURE_ARGS+=	--disable-debug
+.endif
+
 INFO=		ngspice
 MAN1=		ngspice.1 ngnutmeg.1 ngsconvert.1