diff --git a/gnu/lib/Makefile b/gnu/lib/Makefile
index 036c42f89edb..5753da8b40a7 100644
--- a/gnu/lib/Makefile
+++ b/gnu/lib/Makefile
@@ -7,10 +7,7 @@ SUBDIR.${MK_DIALOG}+=	libdialog
 SUBDIR.${MK_GCC}+=	libgcov libgomp
 SUBDIR.${MK_SSP}+=	libssp
 SUBDIR.${MK_TESTS}+=	tests
-
-.if ${MK_BINUTILS} != "no" && ${MK_GDB} != "no"
-SUBDIR+=	libreadline
-.endif
+SUBDIR.${MK_GDB}+=	libreadline
 
 .if ${MK_GNU_DIFF} != "no" || ${MK_GNU_GREP} != "no" || \
     ${MK_GNU_GREP_COMPAT} != "no" || ${MK_GDB} != "no"