diff --git a/src/Makefile b/src/Makefile
index 4b1306b00..c4a081af3 100644
--- a/src/Makefile
+++ b/src/Makefile
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ include $(TOP)/configure/CONFIG
 # for c++ build add the dirs gdd and cas after ca
 # (and uncomment the c++ files in src/lbCom/Makefile.Unix)
 #
-# tools is present for compatibility with base/config rules
-DIRS += tools
 DIRS += include
 DIRS += cxxTemplates
 DIRS += toolsComm