diff --git a/read.c b/read.c
index e232d992..4b66c935 100644
--- a/read.c
+++ b/read.c
@@ -331,7 +331,6 @@ read_makefile (filename, flags)
 	deps->file->dontcare = 1;
     }
   filename = deps->file->name;
-  deps->file->precious = 1;
   deps->changed = flags;
   deps = 0;