diff --git a/test/Makefile.in b/test/Makefile.in
index d82f53157b0..bb32ef672db 100644
--- a/test/Makefile.in
+++ b/test/Makefile.in
@@ -360,5 +360,5 @@ maintainer-clean: distclean bootstrap-clean
 .PHONY: check-declare
 
 check-declare:
-	$(emacs) -l check-declare \
+	$(emacs) --batch -l check-declare \
 	  --eval '(check-declare-directory "$(srcdir)")'