diff --git a/scripts/Kbuild.include b/scripts/Kbuild.include
index 6f9e88716ff4..222fd1d7d3ae 100644
--- a/scripts/Kbuild.include
+++ b/scripts/Kbuild.include
@@ -228,12 +228,12 @@ make-cmd = $(call escsq,$(subst $(pound),$$(pound),$(subst $$,$$$$,$(cmd_$(1))))
 any-prereq = $(filter-out $(PHONY),$?)$(filter-out $(PHONY) $(wildcard $^),$^)
 
 # Execute command if command has changed or prerequisite(s) are updated.
-if_changed = $(if $(strip $(any-prereq) $(cmd-check)),                       \
+if_changed = $(if $(any-prereq)$(cmd-check),                                 \
 	$(cmd);                                                              \
 	printf '%s\n' 'cmd_$@ := $(make-cmd)' > $(dot-target).cmd, @:)
 
 # Execute the command and also postprocess generated .d dependencies file.
-if_changed_dep = $(if $(strip $(any-prereq) $(cmd-check)),$(cmd_and_fixdep),@:)
+if_changed_dep = $(if $(any-prereq)$(cmd-check),$(cmd_and_fixdep),@:)
 
 cmd_and_fixdep =                                                             \
 	$(cmd);                                                              \
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ cmd_and_fixdep =                                                             \
 # Usage: $(call if_changed_rule,foo)
 # Will check if $(cmd_foo) or any of the prerequisites changed,
 # and if so will execute $(rule_foo).
-if_changed_rule = $(if $(strip $(any-prereq) $(cmd-check)),$(rule_$(1)),@:)
+if_changed_rule = $(if $(any-prereq)$(cmd-check),$(rule_$(1)),@:)
 
 ###
 # why - tell why a target got built