diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 97b1dae1783b..744b6c664404 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1702,7 +1702,8 @@ else # KBUILD_EXTMOD
 #                      Install the modules built in the module directory
 #                      Assumes install directory is already created
 
-# We are always building modules
+# We are always building only modules.
+KBUILD_BUILTIN :=
 KBUILD_MODULES := 1
 
 build-dirs := $(KBUILD_EXTMOD)