diff --git a/po-properties/Makevars b/po-properties/Makevars
index 665951bad..379c4eebd 100644
--- a/po-properties/Makevars
+++ b/po-properties/Makevars
@@ -3,6 +3,11 @@
 # Usually the message domain is the same as the package name.
 DOMAIN = gtk20-properties
 
+# Do not update PO files as part of normal build or dist targets.
+# This avoids dirtying the source tree for developers and packagers.
+PO_DEPENDS_ON_POT = no
+DIST_DEPENDS_ON_UPDATE_PO = no
+
 # These two variables depend on the location of this directory.
 subdir = po-properties
 top_builddir = ..
diff --git a/po/Makevars b/po/Makevars
index 13ebf0620..8b08dc880 100644
--- a/po/Makevars
+++ b/po/Makevars
@@ -3,6 +3,11 @@
 # Usually the message domain is the same as the package name.
 DOMAIN = gtk20
 
+# Do not update PO files as part of normal build or dist targets.
+# This avoids dirtying the source tree for developers and packagers.
+PO_DEPENDS_ON_POT = no
+DIST_DEPENDS_ON_UPDATE_PO = no
+
 # These two variables depend on the location of this directory.
 subdir = po
 top_builddir = ..