diff --git a/doc/sample.nanorc.in b/doc/sample.nanorc.in
index 45ab8c26..32201cf7 100644
--- a/doc/sample.nanorc.in
+++ b/doc/sample.nanorc.in
@@ -260,9 +260,6 @@
 ## independent of the settings of 'tabsize' and 'tabstospaces':
 # extendsyntax python tabgives "    "
 
-## If <Tab> should always produce an actual TAB when editing a Makefile:
-# extendsyntax makefile tabgives "	"
-
 
 ## === Key bindings ===
 ## For all details, see 'man nanorc', section REBINDING KEYS.
diff --git a/syntax/makefile.nanorc b/syntax/makefile.nanorc
index e98204c6..848a122b 100644
--- a/syntax/makefile.nanorc
+++ b/syntax/makefile.nanorc
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 syntax makefile "(/((GNU)?m|M)akefile[^/]*$|\.(make|mk)$)"
 magic "makefile script"
+
+tabgives "	"
 comment "#"
 
 # Assignments.