diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index 81b0a7b15a..ecadfcdeaf 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -322,6 +322,6 @@ endif
 #suricata_CFLAGS = -Wall -fno-strict-aliasing 
 
 if BUILD_UNITTESTS
-check:
+check-am:
 	$(top_builddir)/src/suricata -u
 endif