diff --git a/docs/reference/gio/Makefile.am b/docs/reference/gio/Makefile.am
index 6b4ab9e00..fc02b6ff1 100644
--- a/docs/reference/gio/Makefile.am
+++ b/docs/reference/gio/Makefile.am
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ dist-local-check-mans-enabled:
 
 endif
 
-MAINTAINERCLEANFILES = $(man_MANS) $(BUILT_SOURCES)
+CLEANFILES += $(man_MANS)
 
 EXTRA_DIST += $(man_MANS)
 
diff --git a/docs/reference/glib/Makefile.am b/docs/reference/glib/Makefile.am
index 7108aeb88..b5626ba44 100644
--- a/docs/reference/glib/Makefile.am
+++ b/docs/reference/glib/Makefile.am
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ dist-local-check-mans-enabled:
 
 endif
 
-MAINTAINERCLEANFILES = $(man_MANS) $(BUILT_SOURCES)
+CLEANFILES += $(man_MANS)
 
 EXTRA_DIST += $(man_MANS)
 
diff --git a/docs/reference/gobject/Makefile.am b/docs/reference/gobject/Makefile.am
index 96181f643..bfd4cd722 100644
--- a/docs/reference/gobject/Makefile.am
+++ b/docs/reference/gobject/Makefile.am
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ dist-local-check-mans-enabled:
 
 endif
 
-MAINTAINERCLEANFILES = $(man_MANS) $(BUILT_SOURCES)
+CLEANFILES += $(man_MANS)
 
 EXTRA_DIST += $(man_MANS)