diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index 5f536f528..a8a75847f 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -151,7 +151,6 @@ dist $(distfile):
 	cp $(distdir)/include/SDL_config.h.default $(distdir)/include/SDL_config.h
 	rm -rf `find $(distdir) -name .svn`
 	rm -f `find $(distdir) -name '.#*'`
-	rmdir `find $(distdir) -type d -empty`
 	tar cvf - $(distdir) | gzip --best >$(distfile)
 	rm -rf $(distdir)