--- gforth-0.7.0-orig/Makefile.in
+++ gforth-0.7.0/Makefile.in
@@ -430,7 +430,10 @@
 
 ENGINES_FAST = gforth-fast$(OPT)$(EC)$(EXE) #gforth-native$(OPT)$(EC)$(EXE) 
 
-GEN = $(ENGINES) $(ENGINES_FAST) gforth.elc
+GEN = $(ENGINES) $(ENGINES_FAST)
+ifneq ($(emacssitelispdir), no)
+GEN += gforth.elc
+endif
 
 # things that need a working forth system to be generated
 FORTH_GEN_ENGINE=engine/prim.i engine/prim_lab.i engine/prim_names.i \