diff --git a/html/inc/email.inc b/html/inc/email.inc
index 6189393b18..becc511200 100644
--- a/html/inc/email.inc
+++ b/html/inc/email.inc
@@ -25,24 +25,12 @@ require_once("../project/project.inc");
 $config = get_config();
 $master_url = parse_config($config, "<master_url>");
 
-// Determine if phpmailer is installed and to be used (defined in project.inc)
-if (isset($USE_PHPMAILER)) {
-    if ($USE_PHPMAILER) {
-        require_once("../inc/phpmailer/class.phpmailer.php");
-    }
-} else {
-    $USE_PHPMAILER = false;
-}
-
 // send an email, using PHPMailer or not.
 //
 function send_email($user, $subject, $body, $body_html=null) {
-    global $USE_PHPMAILER;
-    global $PHPMAILER_HOST;
-    global $PHPMAILER_MAILER;
-
-    if ($USE_PHPMAILER) {
-        $mail = new PHPMailer();
+    if (function_exists("make_php_mailer")) {
+        require_once("../inc/phpmailer/class.phpmailer.php");
+        $mail = make_php_mailer();
         $mail->AddAddress($user->email_addr, $user->name);
         $mail->Subject = $subject;
         if ($body_html) {
@@ -51,10 +39,6 @@ function send_email($user, $subject, $body, $body_html=null) {
         } else {
             $mail->Body = $body;
         }
-        $mail->From = EMAIL_FROM;
-        $mail->FromName = EMAIL_FROM_NAME;
-        $mail->Host = $PHPMAILER_HOST;
-        $mail->Mailer = $PHPMAILER_MAILER;
         if (!$mail->Send()) {
             echo $mail->ErrorInfo;
             return false;
diff --git a/html/project.sample/project.inc b/html/project.sample/project.inc
index a578662d5a..badf82f3d2 100644
--- a/html/project.sample/project.inc
+++ b/html/project.sample/project.inc
@@ -29,6 +29,33 @@ define("UOTD_ADMIN_EMAIL", "admin@$master_url");
 // offensive forum posts.
 define("POST_REPORT_EMAILS", "moderator1@$master_url|moderator2@$master_url");
 
+// If you use PHPMailer, uncomment the following
+// and complete the function definition based on your SMTP server
+// (not all fields may be needed)
+//
+if (0) {
+function make_php_mailer() {
+    $mail = new PHPMailer();
+    $mail->IsSMTP();
+    //$mail->Mailer = 'smtp';
+    $mail->SMTPAuth = true;
+    $mail->SMTPSecure = "tls";
+    $mail->Host = "smtp.gmail.com";
+    $mail->Port = 587;
+    $mail->Username = "john.doe@gmail.com";
+    $mail->Password = "xxx";
+        // Google's application-specific password,
+        // if you are using the 2-Step Verification: 16 characters, no spaces.
+        // OR: Put here the regular Gmail password if you are not using the
+        // 2-Step Verification with your Gmail account.
+        // See https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833?hl=en";
+    $mail->SetFrom('admin@boincproject.com', 'John Doe');
+    $mail->AddReplyTo("admin@boincproject.com", "John Doe");
+    $mail->From = "admin@boincproject.com";
+    return $mail;
+}
+}
+
 function project_banner($title, $prefix) {
     // Put your project title and logo here
     // If you include any links, prepend URL with $prefix