how to force ports to use OPENSSLBASE=/usr/local?

[snowcrash+freebsd-questions]

hi,

i've an install of FreeBSD 6.2-RELEASE.

base ssl is:

	/usr/bin/openssl version
		OpenSSL 0.9.7e-p1 25 Oct 2004

i've installed openssl from ports,

	`which openssl` version
		OpenSSL 0.9.8e 23 Feb 2007

i'm trying to get a ports-build of openssh-portable to link the
ports-installed ssl, OpenSSL 0.9.8e.

i've addedto '/etc/make.conf':

	+++	OPENSSLBASE=/usr/local

and, am (re)building with,

	cd /usr/ports/security/openssh-portable
	make deinstall rmconfig OPENSSLBASE=/usr/local reinstall clean

but, after build, i _still_ see the base-installed ssl used:

	ldd /usr/local/bin/ssh | grep ssl
		libssl.so.4 => /usr/lib/libssl.so.4 (0x283bb000)

what do i need to set/change for the ports' openssl to be used -- for
openssh and, eventually, all subsequent ports?

thanks!