diff --git a/test/subset/Makefile.am b/test/subset/Makefile.am
index 1673cfbd1..da4b3d477 100644
--- a/test/subset/Makefile.am
+++ b/test/subset/Makefile.am
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ CLEANFILES =
 SUBDIRS = data
 
 # Convenience targets:
-lib:
+lib: libs # Always build subsetter lib in this subdir
+libs:
 	@$(MAKE) $(AM_MAKEFLAGS) -C $(top_builddir)/src libs
 
 EXTRA_DIST += \