diff --git a/backend.native/tests/build.gradle b/backend.native/tests/build.gradle
index 1a65f25d31a..9bb80e9af30 100644
--- a/backend.native/tests/build.gradle
+++ b/backend.native/tests/build.gradle
@@ -194,7 +194,6 @@ task run_external () {
     createTestTasks(externalTestsDir, RunExternalTestGroup) { }
 
     // Set up dependencies.
-    dependsOn(clean)
     dependsOn(tasksOf { it instanceof RunExternalTestGroup || it instanceof RunStdlibTest })
 }