diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 21d82955658..a4d482b8be8 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -41,10 +41,13 @@ client/tests/drt
 *.pyc
 third_party/gsutil/*/gsutilc
 
-# temporary vim files
+# Temporary vim files
 *.swo
 *.swp
 
+# Emacs backup files
+*~
+
 /compiler/eclipse.workspace/tests/output/
 /compiler/eclipse.workspace/dartc/output/
 /compiler/eclipse.workspace/rhino/output/