diff --git a/appl/test/Makefile.am b/appl/test/Makefile.am
index 7bc9b6f41..7b2f7b190 100644
--- a/appl/test/Makefile.am
+++ b/appl/test/Makefile.am
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ include $(top_srcdir)/Makefile.am.common
 
 WFLAGS += $(WFLAGS_LITE)
 
+AUTOMAKE_OPTIONS = subdir-objects
+
 noinst_PROGRAMS = tcp_client tcp_server gssapi_server gssapi_client \
 	uu_server uu_client nt_gss_server nt_gss_client http_client \
 	kinit_auditdns