diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 3113e6b042..5b64386b53 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -632,7 +632,7 @@ commit_v1_0_1 = d68de958b60426798ed62797ff7c96c327a672ac
 
 # Authenticate the current Git checkout by checking signatures on every commit
 # starting from $(commit_v1_0_1).
-authenticate:
+authenticate: guix/openpgp.go guix/git.go
 	$(AM_V_at)echo "Authenticating Git checkout..." ;	\
 	"$(top_builddir)/pre-inst-env" $(GUILE)			\
 	  --no-auto-compile -e git-authenticate			\