diff --git a/usr/Makefile b/usr/Makefile
index 6a89eb019275..e6f7cb2f81db 100644
--- a/usr/Makefile
+++ b/usr/Makefile
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ datafile_y = initramfs_data.cpio$(suffix_y)
 datafile_d_y = .$(datafile_y).d
 AFLAGS_initramfs_data.o += -DINITRAMFS_IMAGE="usr/$(datafile_y)"
 
+# clean rules do not have CONFIG_INITRAMFS_COMPRESSION.  So clean up after all
+# possible compression formats.
+clean-files += initramfs_data.cpio*
 
 # Generate builtin.o based on initramfs_data.o
 obj-$(CONFIG_BLK_DEV_INITRD) := initramfs_data.o