diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index 626d96b5f..49ae13580 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -236,13 +236,13 @@ doc.h:$(BUILTIN_DOC_SRC) $(CMD_DOC_SRC) doc_src/doc.hdr
 	echo "*/" >>$@
 
 # Compile translation file
-%.gmo:%.po
+%.gmo:
 	if test $(HAVE_GETTEXT) = 1; then \
 		msgfmt $*.po -o $*.gmo; \
 	fi
 
 # Update existing po file or copy messages.pot
-%.po:
+%.po:messages.pot
 	if test $(HAVE_GETTEXT) = 1;then \
 		if test -f $*.po; then \
 			msgmerge -U --backup=existing $*.po messages.pot;\