diff --git a/hw/Makefile.am b/hw/Makefile.am
index 92b007aca..6c2cc6bd4 100644
--- a/hw/Makefile.am
+++ b/hw/Makefile.am
@@ -38,4 +38,4 @@ SUBDIRS =			\
 DIST_SUBDIRS = dmx xfree86 vfb xnest xwin xquartz kdrive
 
 relink:
-	$(AM_V_at)for i in $(SUBDIRS) ; do $(MAKE) -C $$i relink ; done
+	$(AM_V_at)for i in $(SUBDIRS) ; do $(MAKE) -C $$i relink || exit 1 ; done
diff --git a/hw/kdrive/Makefile.am b/hw/kdrive/Makefile.am
index 55d940f40..471ca89dd 100644
--- a/hw/kdrive/Makefile.am
+++ b/hw/kdrive/Makefile.am
@@ -27,4 +27,4 @@ SUBDIRS =			\
 DIST_SUBDIRS = fbdev ephyr src linux fake
 
 relink:
-	$(AM_V_at)for i in $(SERVER_SUBDIRS) ; do $(MAKE) -C $$i relink ; done
+	$(AM_V_at)for i in $(SERVER_SUBDIRS) ; do $(MAKE) -C $$i relink || exit 1 ; done