diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index f014931033..1f36aeea23 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ SUBDIRS = . po
 # remove targets if the command fails
 .DELETE_ON_ERROR:
 
+# keep intermediate files
+.SECONDARY:
+
 LIBUDEV_CURRENT=3
 LIBUDEV_REVISION=1
 LIBUDEV_AGE=2
diff --git a/units/.gitignore b/units/.gitignore
index 5e86d30113..b1e81ab086 100644
--- a/units/.gitignore
+++ b/units/.gitignore
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 /systemd-hibernate.service
 /systemd-suspend.service
 /console-getty.service
+/console-getty.service.m4
 /systemd-journald.service
 /user@.service
 /systemd-logind.service
@@ -13,9 +14,11 @@
 /systemd-timedated.service
 /systemd-hostnamed.service
 /console-shell.service
+/console-shell.service.m4
 /systemd-sysctl.service
 /systemd-ask-password-console.service
 /rescue.service
+/rescue.service.m4
 /systemd-ask-password-wall.service
 /systemd-quotacheck.service
 /quotaon.service