diff --git a/testing/external/Makefile b/testing/external/Makefile
index 25efdad05b..502451dcee 100644
--- a/testing/external/Makefile
+++ b/testing/external/Makefile
@@ -6,11 +6,11 @@ DIAG=diag.log
 
 all:
 	@rm -f $(DIAG)
-	@for repo in $(REPOS); do (cd $$repo && make -s ); done
+	@for repo in $(REPOS); do ( cd $$repo && make -s ); done
 
 brief:
 	@rm -f $(DIAG)
-	@for repo in $(REPOS); do (cd $$repo && make -s brief ); done
+	@for repo in $(REPOS); do ( cd $$repo && make -s brief ); done
 
 init:
 	git clone $(PUBLIC_REPO)
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ status:
 	@for repo in $(REPOS); do ( cd $$repo && echo '>>' $$repo && git status -bs && echo ); done
 
 coverage:
-	@for repo in $(REPOS); do (cd $$repo && echo "Coverage for '$$repo' repo:" && make coverage); done
+	@for repo in $(REPOS); do ( cd $$repo && echo "Coverage for '$$repo' repo:" && make coverage ); done
 
 update-timing:
-	@for repo in $(REPOS); do (cd $$repo && echo "Coverage for '$$repo' repo:" && make update-timing); done
+	@for repo in $(REPOS); do ( cd $$repo && echo "Updating timing for '$$repo' repo:" && make update-timing ); done
 
 .PHONY: all brief init pull push status coverage