--- a/doc/interpreter/module.mk
+++ b/doc/interpreter/module.mk
@@ -298,6 +298,8 @@
 	$(AWK) -f $(srcdir)/doc/interpreter/mkcontrib.awk $(srcdir)/doc/interpreter/contributors.in > $@-t && \
 	mv $@-t $@
 
+doc/interpreter/preface.texi: doc/interpreter/contributors.texi
+
 AUTHORS: doc/interpreter/preface.texi doc/interpreter/contributors.texi | doc/interpreter/$(octave_dirstamp)
 	$(AM_V_MAKEINFO)rm -f $@-t $@ && \
 	if [ "x$(srcdir)" != "x." ] && [ -f $(srcdir)/doc/interpreter/contributors.texi ] && [ ! -f doc/interpreter/contributors.texi ]; then \
