diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 22bba424..49cbec78 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -26,12 +26,7 @@ INSTALL
 install-sh
 .libs/
 libtool
-libtool.m4
 ltmain.sh
-lt~obsolete.m4
-ltoptions.m4
-ltsugar.m4
-ltversion.m4
 Makefile
 Makefile.in
 mdate-sh
diff --git a/m4/.gitignore b/m4/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..464ba5ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/m4/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+libtool.m4
+lt~obsolete.m4
+ltoptions.m4
+ltsugar.m4
+ltversion.m4