diff --git a/arch/x86/boot/Makefile b/arch/x86/boot/Makefile
index e17be90ab312..02c8d1c2f47e 100644
--- a/arch/x86/boot/Makefile
+++ b/arch/x86/boot/Makefile
@@ -57,11 +57,10 @@ $(obj)/cpu.o: $(obj)/cpustr.h
 
 quiet_cmd_cpustr = CPUSTR  $@
       cmd_cpustr = $(obj)/mkcpustr > $@
-targets += cpustr.h
 $(obj)/cpustr.h: $(obj)/mkcpustr FORCE
 	$(call if_changed,cpustr)
 endif
-clean-files += cpustr.h
+targets += cpustr.h
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------