diff --git a/scripts/Kbuild.include b/scripts/Kbuild.include
index 10ba926ae292..d1dd4a6b6adb 100644
--- a/scripts/Kbuild.include
+++ b/scripts/Kbuild.include
@@ -55,14 +55,13 @@ kecho := $($(quiet)kecho)
 # - stdin is piped in from the first prerequisite ($<) so one has
 #   to specify a valid file as first prerequisite (often the kbuild file)
 define filechk
-	$(Q)set -e;				\
-	mkdir -p $(dir $@);			\
-	{ $(filechk_$(1)); } > $@.tmp;		\
-	if [ -r $@ ] && cmp -s $@ $@.tmp; then	\
-		rm -f $@.tmp;			\
-	else					\
-		$(kecho) '  UPD     $@';	\
-		mv -f $@.tmp $@;		\
+	$(Q)set -e;						\
+	mkdir -p $(dir $@);					\
+	trap "rm -f $(dot-target).tmp" EXIT;			\
+	{ $(filechk_$(1)); } > $(dot-target).tmp;		\
+	if [ ! -r $@ ] || ! cmp -s $@ $(dot-target).tmp; then	\
+		$(kecho) '  UPD     $@';			\
+		mv -f $(dot-target).tmp $@;			\
 	fi
 endef