diff --git a/Documentation/Makefile b/Documentation/Makefile
index 652d57a1b6..5c680024eb 100644
--- a/Documentation/Makefile
+++ b/Documentation/Makefile
@@ -272,7 +272,9 @@ install-html: html
 ../GIT-VERSION-FILE: FORCE
 	$(QUIET_SUBDIR0)../ $(QUIET_SUBDIR1) GIT-VERSION-FILE
 
+ifneq ($(MAKECMDGOALS),clean)
 -include ../GIT-VERSION-FILE
+endif
 
 #
 # Determine "include::" file references in asciidoc files.