diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index d791d23f8..c799c0ba2 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ backend-%: --stack-work-$* --backend-$* --stack-krow-$*
 
 .PHONY: database
 database: .develop.env --stack-work-build
-	$(MAKE) -- --database || $(MAKE) -- --stack-krow-build
-	$(MAKE) -- --stack-krow-build
+	($(MAKE) -- --database || $(MAKE) -- --stack-krow-build) || ($(MAKE) -- --stack-krow-build)
 
 .PHONY: --database
 --database: .develop.env