diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index f38b521765..35365f09d4 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ $(PROGS): %$(PROGSSUF)$(EXESUF): %$(PROGSSUF)_g$(EXESUF)
 ifeq ($(STRIPTYPE),direct)
 	$(STRIP) -o $@ $<
 else
+	$(RM) $@
 	$(CP) $< $@
 	$(STRIP) $@
 endif