diff --git a/scripts/Kbuild.include b/scripts/Kbuild.include
index 460acd6..b8969e2 100644
--- a/scripts/Kbuild.include
+++ b/scripts/Kbuild.include
@@ -318,6 +318,9 @@
 # delete partially updated (i.e. corrupted) files on error
 .DELETE_ON_ERROR:
 
+# do not delete intermediate files automatically
+.SECONDARY:
+
 ifdef CONFIG_SPL_BUILD
 SPL_ := SPL_
 ifeq ($(CONFIG_TPL_BUILD),y)