diff --git a/compat/Makefile.in b/compat/Makefile.in
index 8fa1ac456..402d27e0a 100644
--- a/compat/Makefile.in
+++ b/compat/Makefile.in
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ top_srcdir = @top_srcdir@
 incdir = $(top_srcdir)/include
 compat = $(top_srcdir)/compat
 
+# For out of tree builds
+VPATH = $(srcdir)
+
 # Compiler & tools to use
 CC = @CC@
 LIBTOOL = @LIBTOOL@
diff --git a/plugins/sample/Makefile.in b/plugins/sample/Makefile.in
index d0d4ca91a..8d975c241 100644
--- a/plugins/sample/Makefile.in
+++ b/plugins/sample/Makefile.in
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ top_builddir = @top_builddir@
 top_srcdir = @top_srcdir@
 incdir = $(top_srcdir)/include
 
+# For out of tree builds
+VPATH = $(srcdir)
+
 # Compiler & tools to use
 CC = @CC@
 LIBTOOL = @LIBTOOL@ --tag=disable-static
diff --git a/plugins/sudoers/Makefile.in b/plugins/sudoers/Makefile.in
index 60de3842f..d42ea815b 100644
--- a/plugins/sudoers/Makefile.in
+++ b/plugins/sudoers/Makefile.in
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ top_builddir = @top_builddir@
 top_srcdir = @top_srcdir@
 incdir = $(top_srcdir)/include
 
+# For out of tree builds
+VPATH = $(srcdir):$(srcdir)/auth:$(top_srcdir)/src
+
 # Compiler & tools to use
 CC = @CC@
 LIBTOOL = @LIBTOOL@
diff --git a/src/Makefile.in b/src/Makefile.in
index a396f0d55..1d9fb81f3 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.in
+++ b/src/Makefile.in
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ top_builddir = @top_builddir@
 top_srcdir = @top_srcdir@
 incdir = $(top_srcdir)/include
 
+# For out of tree builds
+VPATH = $(srcdir)
+
 # Compiler & tools to use
 CC = @CC@
 LIBTOOL = @LIBTOOL@ --tag=disable-static