diff --git a/src/charon/Makefile.am b/src/charon/Makefile.am
index 7a1c2e52f..b7bf4c4f1 100644
--- a/src/charon/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/charon/Makefile.am
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ endif
 # build optional plugins
 ########################
 
-SUBDIRS = 
+SUBDIRS = . 
 
 if USE_UNIT_TESTS
   SUBDIRS += plugins/unit_tester
diff --git a/src/libstrongswan/Makefile.am b/src/libstrongswan/Makefile.am
index cb7e75039..748da9838 100644
--- a/src/libstrongswan/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/libstrongswan/Makefile.am
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ asn1/oid.h :	asn1/oid.txt asn1/oid.pl
 # build plugins with their own Makefile
 #######################################
 
-SUBDIRS = 
+SUBDIRS = .
 
 if USE_AES
   SUBDIRS += plugins/aes