diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index d47c105b37..01cb01de4b 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -425,4 +425,3 @@ pkgbuild::
 
 clean-local:
 	rm -rf benchmark coverage
-	rm -f po/Makevars