diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index 03c5e2c123..088a9f2c05 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -70,7 +70,6 @@ endif
 
 curl_LDFLAGS = @LIBMETALINK_LDFLAGS@
 curl_CPPFLAGS = $(AM_CPPFLAGS) $(LIBMETALINK_CPPFLAGS)
-curl_DEPENDENCIES = $(top_builddir)/lib/libcurl.la
 
 # if unit tests are enabled, build a static library to link them with
 if BUILD_UNITTESTS
diff --git a/tests/libtest/Makefile.am b/tests/libtest/Makefile.am
index 826b3d4f55..c08c5e3ca3 100644
--- a/tests/libtest/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/libtest/Makefile.am
@@ -68,7 +68,6 @@ endif
 
 # Dependencies (may need to be overriden)
 LDADD = $(SUPPORTFILES_LIBS)
-DEPENDENCIES = $(top_builddir)/lib/libcurl.la
 
 # Makefile.inc provides the source defines (TESTUTIL, SUPPORTFILES,
 # noinst_PROGRAMS, lib*_SOURCES, and lib*_CFLAGS)
diff --git a/tests/unit/Makefile.am b/tests/unit/Makefile.am
index 7075f8c3ae..6dc2a17c18 100644
--- a/tests/unit/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/unit/Makefile.am
@@ -63,9 +63,6 @@ LDADD = $(top_builddir)/src/libcurltool.la   \
         $(top_builddir)/lib/libcurlu.la      \
         @LDFLAGS@ @LIBCURL_LIBS@
 
-DEPENDENCIES = $(top_builddir)/src/libcurltool.la \
-               $(top_builddir)/lib/libcurlu.la
-
 AM_CPPFLAGS += -DCURL_STATICLIB -DUNITTESTS
 
 # Makefile.inc provides neat definitions