diff --git a/Make.mk b/Make.mk
index 2508e1b7..0acf0baf 100644
--- a/Make.mk
+++ b/Make.mk
@@ -233,7 +233,12 @@ dist: dist-source dist-client dist-info
 # addition to %.o.
 ifeq ($(how_to_dep),fast)
 %.o: %.c
-	$(COMPILE.c) -MT $@ -MMD -MP $(OUTPUT_OPTION) $<
+	$(COMPILE.c) -MT $@ -MMD -MP $(OUTPUT_OPTION) $< \
+	|| { rm -f $(@:.o=.d) $@; false; }
+# Why the rm?  If gcc's preprocessor chokes, it leaves an empty
+# dependency file behind, and doesn't touch the object file.  If an
+# old object file exists, and is newer than the .c file, make will
+# then consider the object file up-to-date.
 endif
 ifeq ($(how_to_dep),depcomp)
 %.o: %.c