diff --git a/rules.mk b/rules.mk
index 4bc7dfab48..2dc8bcc7cc 100644
--- a/rules.mk
+++ b/rules.mk
@@ -135,12 +135,20 @@ endef
 # Parameters:
 # 	1: dependencies for the prepare step
 define default_subtargets
-  %-download %-prepare %-compile %-install %-clean: FORCE
-	$$(MAKE) -C $$* $$(patsubst $$*-%,%,$$@)
+  %-download: FORCE
+	$$(MAKE) -C $$(patsubst %-download,%,$$@) download
+
+  %-prepare: $(1) FORCE
+	$$(MAKE) -C $$(patsubst %-prepare,%,$$@) prepare
 
   %-compile: %-prepare 
+	$$(MAKE) -C $$(patsubst %-compile,%,$$@) compile
+
   %-install: %-compile
-  .SILENT: %-clean
+	$$(MAKE) -C $$(patsubst %-install,%,$$@) install
+
+  %-clean: FORCE
+	@$$(MAKE) -C $$(patsubst %-clean,%,$$@) clean
 endef