diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 241703f1..1d8b1356 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -679,7 +679,7 @@ libmpers_CPPFLAGS = $(AM_CPPFLAGS) -DIN_MPERS
 
 # mpers targets
 
-mpers-m%.stamp: $(srcdir_mpers_source_files)
+mpers-m%.stamp: $(srcdir_mpers_source_files) | printers.h
 	for f in $^; do \
 		CC="$(CC)" CFLAGS="$(mpers_sh_opts)" \
 		CPP="$(CPP)" CPPFLAGS="$(mpers_CPPFLAGS) $(mpers_INCLUDES) -DIN_MPERS -DMPERS_IS_$(mpers_NAME)" \