diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index a4b0a37f6e..5054b70455 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -242,6 +242,4 @@ codectest libavtest test-server fulltest test mpeg4 mpeg: $(PROGS)
 .PHONY: dep depend clean distclean TAGS
 .PHONY: codectest libavtest test-server fulltest test mpeg4 mpeg
 
-ifneq ($(wildcard .depend),)
-include .depend
-endif
+-include .depend
diff --git a/common.mak b/common.mak
index 1a80833e87..7989b9021e 100644
--- a/common.mak
+++ b/common.mak
@@ -96,6 +96,4 @@ uninstall-headers:
 
 .PHONY: all depend dep clean distclean install* uninstall*
 
-ifneq ($(wildcard .depend),)
-include .depend
-endif
+-include .depend