diff --git a/gitweb/Makefile b/gitweb/Makefile
index cd194d057f9..f13e23c4de4 100644
--- a/gitweb/Makefile
+++ b/gitweb/Makefile
@@ -48,7 +48,9 @@ HIGHLIGHT_BIN = highlight
 ../GIT-VERSION-FILE: .FORCE-GIT-VERSION-FILE
 	$(QUIET_SUBDIR0)../ $(QUIET_SUBDIR1) GIT-VERSION-FILE
 
+ifneq ($(MAKECMDGOALS),clean)
 -include ../GIT-VERSION-FILE
+endif
 
 ### Build rules