diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 7b896b3b..65ced9de 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ endif
 
 # include information generated by 'git describe --tags --dirty' if requested
 if USE_GIT_VERSION
-common.c: gitversion.h
+$(top_srcdir)/common.c: gitversion.h
 gitversion.h: .git/index
 	printf "// Do not edit!\n" > gitversion.h
 	printf "// This file is automatically generated by 'git describe --tags --dirty', if available.\n" >> gitversion.h