diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index f10caedaa7..56c85a85c1 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -9,7 +9,9 @@ all::
 
 GIT-VERSION-FILE: FORCE
 	@$(SHELL_PATH) ./GIT-VERSION-GEN
+ifneq ($(MAKECMDGOALS),clean)
 -include GIT-VERSION-FILE
+endif
 
 uname_S := $(shell sh -c 'uname -s 2>/dev/null || echo not')
 uname_O := $(shell sh -c 'uname -o 2>/dev/null || echo not')