diff --git a/scripts/Makefile b/scripts/Makefile
index 2e08810..fcea261 100644
--- a/scripts/Makefile
+++ b/scripts/Makefile
@@ -18,6 +18,11 @@
 # The following hostprogs-y programs are only build on demand
 hostprogs-y += unifdef
 
+# This target is used internally to avoid "is up to date" messages
+PHONY += build_unifdef
+build_unifdef: scripts/unifdef FORCE
+	@:
+
 subdir-$(CONFIG_MODVERSIONS) += genksyms
 subdir-y                     += mod
 subdir-$(CONFIG_SECURITY_SELINUX) += selinux