diff --git a/tools/tests/x86_emulator/Makefile b/tools/tests/x86_emulator/Makefile
index fefa29a06c..3e02580a35 100644
--- a/tools/tests/x86_emulator/Makefile
+++ b/tools/tests/x86_emulator/Makefile
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ avx512bw-opmask-vecs := 4 8
 # partially even with older compilers.
 TARGET-y := $(TARGET)
 
-ifeq ($(filter run%,$(MAKECMDGOALS)),)
+ifneq ($(filter-out run% clean% distclean,$(MAKECMDGOALS)),)
 
 define isa-check-cc
 TARGET-$(shell echo 'int i;' | $(CC) -x c -c -o /dev/null -m$(1) - || echo y) :=