diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 8da8b23..c256588 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@
 
 # NOTE: this file assumes Makefile.mk has been included before
 
+# dummy first target that does nothing
+nothing:
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # DPF plugins