diff --git a/sys/unix/Makefile.top b/sys/unix/Makefile.top
index b604bb7ef..60455a384 100644
--- a/sys/unix/Makefile.top
+++ b/sys/unix/Makefile.top
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ clean:
 
 # 'make spotless' returns the source tree to near-distribution condition.
 # it removes .o files, executables, and compiled data files
-spotless::
+spotless:: clean
 	( cd src ; $(MAKE) spotless )
 	( cd util ; $(MAKE) spotless )
 	( cd dat ; $(MAKE) spotless )