diff --git a/lib/Makefile.in b/lib/Makefile.in
index 531cac7741..267be3fff6 100644
--- a/lib/Makefile.in
+++ b/lib/Makefile.in
@@ -57,6 +57,19 @@ g-wrap-install:
 	(cd g-wrap && make install)
 TRASH += g-wrap-install
 
+# this make dist is a quick hack to avoid build problems that
+# # naive builders are suffering from.  Doing a 'make dist' makes
+# build problems go away.
+dist:
+        touch g-wrap/aclocal.m4
+        touch g-wrap/configure.in
+        touch g-wrap/Makefile.in
+        touch g-wrap/doc/Makefile.in
+        touch g-wrap/configure
+        touch g-wrap/conf-h.in
+        touch g-wrap/stamp-h.in
+        chmod +x g-wrap/missing
+
 
 motif:	g-wrap-install
 	@cd ComboBox-1.33;    $(MAKE) default
@@ -69,7 +82,7 @@ gnome:	g-wrap-install
 qt:	g-wrap-install
 
 
-.PHONY: gnome motif qt g-wrap-install
+.PHONY: gnome motif qt g-wrap-install dist
 
 # Local Variables:
 # tab-width: 2