diff --git a/builddefs/common_rules.mk b/builddefs/common_rules.mk
index 22746b92a3..5d100fec59 100644
--- a/builddefs/common_rules.mk
+++ b/builddefs/common_rules.mk
@@ -332,6 +332,7 @@ $1/asflags.txt: $1/force
 	echo '$$($1_ASFLAGS)' | cmp -s - $$@ || echo '$$($1_ASFLAGS)' > $$@
 
 $1/compiler.txt: $1/force
+	test -f $$@ || touch $$@
 	$$(CC) --version | cmp -s - $$@ || $$(CC) --version > $$@
 endef