diff --git a/common.mk b/common.mk
index f7c45b9504..81d6877dd7 100644
--- a/common.mk
+++ b/common.mk
@@ -835,7 +835,7 @@ $(RBCONFIG): $(tooldir)/mkconfig.rb config.status $(srcdir)/version.h
 test-rubyspec: test-spec
 yes-test-rubyspec: yes-test-spec
 
-test-spec-precheck: main
+test-spec-precheck: programs
 
 test-spec: $(TEST_RUNNABLE)-test-spec
 yes-test-spec: test-spec-precheck