--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 java_files := $(foreach dir,$(dirs),$(find_files))
 class_files := $(patsubst $(jdir)/%.java,%.class,$(java_files))
 
-JCFLAGS := -source 1.6 -encoding ISO-8859-1 -Xlint:unchecked -deprecation
+JCFLAGS := $(JAVACFLAGS) -encoding ISO-8859-1 -Xlint:unchecked -deprecation
 
 # standard java compilation..
 JAVACOMPILE := $(JAVAC) $(JCFLAGS) -sourcepath $(jdir) -d $(top_builddir)