diff --git a/config/RULES.Host b/config/RULES.Host
index 791d67954..74a5e1f98 100644
--- a/config/RULES.Host
+++ b/config/RULES.Host
@@ -522,7 +522,9 @@ $(PACKAGE)_%.h:$(INSTALL_JAVA)/$(PACKAGE)/%.class
 
 depends:: $(LIBSRCS) $(SRCS) $(COND_PROD_SRCS)
 	$(RM) DEPENDS
+ifneq ($(strip $(LIBSRCS) $(SRCS) $(COND_PROD_SRCS)),)
 	$(DEPENDS_RULE)
+endif
 
 ifeq ($(HOST_ARCH),Borland)
 %$(EXE): %.c
diff --git a/config/RULES.Vx b/config/RULES.Vx
index 0481c3253..93c4d500a 100644
--- a/config/RULES.Vx
+++ b/config/RULES.Vx
@@ -76,7 +76,9 @@ endif
 
 depends:: $(SRCS.c) $(SRCS.cc)
 	$(RM) DEPENDS
+ifneq ($(strip $(SRCS.c) $(SRCS.cc)),)
 	$(DEPENDS_RULE)
+endif
 
 clean::
 	@echo "Cleaning"