diff --git a/commands.c b/commands.c
index 1cfe0cff..cd711781 100644
--- a/commands.c
+++ b/commands.c
@@ -409,8 +409,8 @@ delete_child_targets (child)
   if (child->deleted)
     return;
 
-  /* Delete the file unless it's precious.  */
-  if (!child->file->precious
+  /* Delete the file unless it's precious or not actually a file (phony).  */
+  if (!child->file->precious && !child->file->phony
       && stat (child->file->name, &st) == 0
       && S_ISREG (st.st_mode)
       && (time_t) st.st_mtime != child->file->last_mtime)
@@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ delete_child_targets (child)
   /* Also remove any non-precious targets listed
      in the `also_make' member.  */
   for (d = child->file->also_make; d != 0; d = d->next)
-    if (!d->file->precious)
+    if (!d->file->precious && !d->file->phony)
       if (stat (d->file->name, &st) == 0
 	  && S_ISREG (st.st_mode)
 	  && (time_t) st.st_mtime != d->file->last_mtime)