diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 0639d63c1bb891639e80d4d69393c05474c4e5ef..296f8d03675bb503be69f68d9260a60b4cacfde4 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ SiCortex*Gcc*/
 solaris*Gcc*/
 SunOS*Gcc*/
 
+# reinstate wmake/rules that might look like build folders
+!wmake/rules/*/
+
 # doxygen generated documentation
 doc/[Dd]oxygen/html
 doc/[Dd]oxygen/latex