diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index b10f4900..c5fc74f4 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ distcheck-hook:
 	  && ctest -V \
 	  && $(MAKE) DESTDIR=../../_inst/cmake install ; \
 	fi
-	$(RM) -r $(distdir)/_build/cmake
-	$(RM) -r $(distdir)/_inst/cmake
+	rm -rf $(distdir)/_build/cmake
+	rm -rf $(distdir)/_inst/cmake
 
 SUBDIRS = port libtiff tools build contrib test man html
 
diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index b98c6669..9efcddaa 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -962,8 +962,8 @@ distcheck-hook:
 	  && ctest -V \
 	  && $(MAKE) DESTDIR=../../_inst/cmake install ; \
 	fi
-	$(RM) -r $(distdir)/_build/cmake
-	$(RM) -r $(distdir)/_inst/cmake
+	rm -rf $(distdir)/_build/cmake
+	rm -rf $(distdir)/_inst/cmake
 
 release:
 	(rm -f $(top_srcdir)/RELEASE-DATE && echo $(LIBTIFF_RELEASE_DATE) > $(top_srcdir)/RELEASE-DATE)