diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index d9a3a82fe..809383c51 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -575,7 +575,7 @@ $(patsubst git-%$X,%.o,$(PROGRAMS)): $(GITLIBS)
 $(DIFF_OBJS): diffcore.h
 
 $(LIB_FILE): $(LIB_OBJS)
-	$(AR) rcs $@ $(LIB_OBJS)
+	rm -f $@ && $(AR) rcs $@ $(LIB_OBJS)
 
 XDIFF_OBJS=xdiff/xdiffi.o xdiff/xprepare.o xdiff/xutils.o xdiff/xemit.o