diff --git a/Makefile.inc1 b/Makefile.inc1
--- a/Makefile.inc1
+++ b/Makefile.inc1
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@
 # by calling 'makedb' in share/man.  This is only relevant for
 # install/distribute so they build the whatis file after every manpage is
 # installed.
-.if make(installworld) || make(install)
+.if make(installworld) || make(install) || make(distributeworld) || make(distribute)
 SUBDIR+=.WAIT
 .endif
 SUBDIR+=etc