diff --git a/tests/Makefile.am b/tests/Makefile.am
index 58f24c29ce..d03a95cebe 100644
--- a/tests/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/Makefile.am
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ endif
 perlcheck:
 	@if ! test -x "$(PERL)"; then echo "No perl!"; exit 2; fi
 
-build-certs:
+build-certs: perlcheck
 	(cd certs && $(MAKE))
 
 # alias for 'test' to match CMake, where 'test' is a reserved target