diff --git a/Makefile.hw b/Makefile.hw
index 010e63c8a9..6accb3bc72 100644
--- a/Makefile.hw
+++ b/Makefile.hw
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ OBJS+= lsi53c895a.o esp.o
 OBJS+= dma-helpers.o sysbus.o
 
 all: $(HWLIB)
+# Dummy command so that make thinks it has done something
+	@true
 
 $(HWLIB): $(OBJS)
 
diff --git a/Makefile.target b/Makefile.target
index 664a1e30c1..f9f1c5984f 100644
--- a/Makefile.target
+++ b/Makefile.target
@@ -128,6 +128,8 @@ kvm.o: CFLAGS+=$(KVM_CFLAGS)
 kvm-all.o: CFLAGS+=$(KVM_CFLAGS)
 
 all: $(PROGS)
+# Dummy command so that make thinks it has done something
+	@true
 
 #########################################################
 # cpu emulator library