diff --git a/share/mk/sys.mk b/share/mk/sys.mk
index e59671f430f..a4112caffca 100644
--- a/share/mk/sys.mk
+++ b/share/mk/sys.mk
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ NO_META_IGNORE_HOST_HEADERS=	1
 # This needs to be done early - before .PATH is computed
 # Don't do this for 'make showconfig' as it enables all options where meta mode
 # is not expected.
-.if !make(showconfig) && !make(print-dir)
+.if !make(showconfig) && !make(print-dir) && empty(.MAKEFLAGS:M-[nN])
 .sinclude <auto.obj.mk>
 .endif
 .endif	# ${MK_AUTO_OBJ} == "yes"