diff --git a/samples/bpf/Makefile b/samples/bpf/Makefile
index 4074a66a70ca..9eb5d733f575 100644
--- a/samples/bpf/Makefile
+++ b/samples/bpf/Makefile
@@ -206,6 +206,8 @@ HOSTCC = $(CROSS_COMPILE)gcc
 CLANG_ARCH_ARGS = -target $(ARCH)
 endif
 
+# Don't evaluate probes and warnings if we need to run make recursively
+ifneq ($(src),)
 HDR_PROBE := $(shell echo "\#include <linux/types.h>\n struct list_head { int a; }; int main() { return 0; }" | \
 	$(HOSTCC) $(KBUILD_HOSTCFLAGS) -x c - -o /dev/null 2>/dev/null && \
 	echo okay)
@@ -232,6 +234,7 @@ ifneq ($(and $(BTF_LLC_PROBE),$(BTF_PAHOLE_PROBE),$(BTF_OBJCOPY_PROBE)),)
 	DWARF2BTF = y
 endif
 endif
+endif
 
 # Trick to allow make to be run from this directory
 all: