diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index b44218243..0dc9e0c4b 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ doc.h:$(BUILTIN_DOC_SRC) $(CMD_DOC_SRC) doc_src/doc.hdr
 # Compile translation file
 %.gmo:
 	if test $(HAVE_GETTEXT) = 1; then \
-		msgfmt $*.po -o $*.gmo; \
+		msgfmt -o $*.gmo $*.po; \
 	fi
 
 # Update existing po file or copy messages.pot