diff --git a/tools/perf/Makefile.perf b/tools/perf/Makefile.perf
index c81797ceec42..c66af4c825fd 100644
--- a/tools/perf/Makefile.perf
+++ b/tools/perf/Makefile.perf
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ build := -f $(srctree)/tools/build/Makefile.build dir=. obj
 $(PERF_IN): prepare FORCE
 	$(Q)$(MAKE) $(build)=perf
 
-$(LIBPMU_EVENTS_IN): FORCE prepare
+$(LIBPMU_EVENTS_IN): FORCE $(LIBPERF)
 	$(Q)$(MAKE) -f $(srctree)/tools/build/Makefile.build dir=pmu-events obj=pmu-events
 
 $(LIBPMU_EVENTS): $(LIBPMU_EVENTS_IN)