diff --git a/java/Makefile.am b/java/Makefile.am
index f4ab8b65f..c3bb337be 100644
--- a/java/Makefile.am
+++ b/java/Makefile.am
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ TESTS_ENVIRONMENT = $(top_builddir)/run --test
 
 noinst_DATA = Bindtests.class $(java_tests:.java=.class)
 
-t/%.class: t/%.java
+t/%.class: t/%.java libguestfs-$(VERSION).jar
 	mkdir -p t
 	$(JAVAC) $(JAVAC_FLAGS) -classpath libguestfs-$(VERSION).jar -d $(builddir)/t $<