diff --git a/java/Makefile b/java/Makefile
index 9a28abadf5..dcf1d2f334 100644
--- a/java/Makefile
+++ b/java/Makefile
@@ -437,13 +437,12 @@ java_test: java resolve_test_deps
 	$(AM_V_at) $(JAVAC_CMD) $(JAVAC_ARGS) -cp $(MAIN_CLASSES):$(JAVA_TESTCLASSPATH) -h $(NATIVE_INCLUDE) -d $(TEST_CLASSES)\
 		$(TEST_SOURCES)
 
-test: java java_test
-	$(MAKE) run_test
+test: run_test
 
-run_test:
+run_test: java_test
 	$(JAVA_CMD) $(JAVA_ARGS) -Djava.library.path=target -cp "$(MAIN_CLASSES):$(TEST_CLASSES):$(JAVA_TESTCLASSPATH):target/*" org.rocksdb.test.RocksJunitRunner $(ALL_JAVA_TESTS)
 
-run_plugin_test:
+run_plugin_test: java_test
 	$(JAVA_CMD) $(JAVA_ARGS) -Djava.library.path=target -cp "$(MAIN_CLASSES):$(TEST_CLASSES):$(JAVA_TESTCLASSPATH):target/*" org.rocksdb.test.RocksJunitRunner $(ROCKSDB_PLUGIN_JAVA_TESTS)
 
 db_bench: java