diff --git a/help-system.mk b/help-system.mk
index 07d0d7468..52ddcca4c 100644
--- a/help-system.mk
+++ b/help-system.mk
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ endef
 
 # show a subsection heading when help has been requested
 define def-help-subsection
-	$(if $(need-help),$(warning ($1)))
+	$(if $(need-help),$(warning $1))
 endef
 
 # no-ops, for hiding help without removing it entirely