diff --git a/compiler/cpp/Makefile.am b/compiler/cpp/Makefile.am
index 3ccef42..286b0d7 100644
--- a/compiler/cpp/Makefile.am
+++ b/compiler/cpp/Makefile.am
@@ -68,4 +68,4 @@
 EXTRA_DIST = README
 
 clean-local:
-	rm -rf thriftl.cc thrifty.cc thrifty.h
+	$(RM) thriftl.cc thrifty.cc thrifty.h