diff --git a/nc_test/Makefile.am b/nc_test/Makefile.am
index 76f01c476..8a88d1b9f 100644
--- a/nc_test/Makefile.am
+++ b/nc_test/Makefile.am
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ endif # LARGE_FILE_TESTS
 #if BUILD_BENCHMARKS
 TESTPROGRAMS += testnc3perf
 testnc3perf_SOURCES = testnc3perf.c
+CLEANFILES += benchmark.nc
 #endif