diff --git a/make/topdir.mk b/make/topdir.mk
index c7785fad..dc6087b4 100644
--- a/make/topdir.mk
+++ b/make/topdir.mk
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ local-%:
 unlocal:
 	rm -f $(shell find . -name local.mk)
 
-all setup install clean distclean:
-	set -e; for d in $(SUBDIRS); do make -C $$d $@; done
+include $(MODDIR)/make/subdirs.mk
 
+distclean:
+	rm -f $(DISTCLEAN)
+
+clean:
+	rm -f $(CLEAN)