diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 513c1fbf7888..a3ff166c5035 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1141,7 +1141,7 @@ KBUILD_MODULES := 1
 
 autoksyms_recursive: descend modules.order
 	$(Q)$(CONFIG_SHELL) $(srctree)/scripts/adjust_autoksyms.sh \
-	  "$(MAKE) -f $(srctree)/Makefile vmlinux"
+	  "$(MAKE) -f $(srctree)/Makefile autoksyms_recursive"
 endif
 
 autoksyms_h := $(if $(CONFIG_TRIM_UNUSED_KSYMS), include/generated/autoksyms.h)