diff --git a/config/mh-hp300 b/config/mh-hp300
index b711a7351b..efa343cb55 100644
--- a/config/mh-hp300
+++ b/config/mh-hp300
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 # Define SYSV as -DSYSV if you are using a System V operating system.
 SYSV = -DSYSV
-RANLIB = true
+# If "ar" in $PATH is GNU ar, the symbol table may need rebuilding.
+# If it's HP/UX ar, this should be harmless.
+RANLIB = ar ts
 
 # Native cc can't bootstrap gcc with -g.  Defining CFLAGS here loses (a)
 # for non-gcc directories, (b) if we are compiling with gcc, not