diff --git a/tests/Makefile.in b/tests/Makefile.in
index 2726162a01..32d2a5d6ff 100644
--- a/tests/Makefile.in
+++ b/tests/Makefile.in
@@ -21,9 +21,13 @@ BUILD_HDB=@BUILD_HDB@
 BUILD_LDBM=@BUILD_LDBM@
 BUILD_SQL=@BUILD_SQL@
 
+# test primary backends (default)
 test tests:
 	@$(MAKE) bdb
 	@$(MAKE) hdb
+
+# test all backends
+alltests: tests
 	@$(MAKE) ldbm
 	@$(MAKE) sql