diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index b324b9a358..885948c112 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@ GEN_FILES ?= yes
 ifdef GEN_FILES
 gen_file_dep =
 else
+# Order-only dependency: generate the target if it's absent, but don't
+# re-generate it if it's present but older than its dependencies.
 gen_file_dep = |
 endif
 
diff --git a/programs/Makefile b/programs/Makefile
index 1dfebb5387..5f47e25bcc 100644
--- a/programs/Makefile
+++ b/programs/Makefile
@@ -181,8 +181,6 @@ GEN_FILES ?= yes
 ifdef GEN_FILES
 gen_file_dep =
 else
-# Order-only dependency: generate the target if it's absent, but don't
-# re-generate it if it's present but older than its dependencies.
 gen_file_dep = |
 endif