To quote the info pages, section 6.10 "Target-specific Variable Values":

    As with automatic variables, these values are only available
    within the context of a target's command script (and in other
    target-specific assignments).

That is, they are normally not available in the prerequisite list for the target; the global value will be expanded there.

Solutions:
1) use the .SECONDEXPANSION magic target and use $$(objs) in the
   prerequisite lists.  Other makefile changes might be
   necessary when .SECONDEXPANSION is used.  Check the info pages
   for details of usage.

2) drop the target-specific variables, declare the dependencies
   directly or using multiple global varibles (ala $(prog1_objs),
   etc), and then use $(filter %.o,$^) in the command instead of
   $(objs).


Philip Guenther