diff --git a/nt/gmake.defs b/nt/gmake.defs
index 96dd1f88ebf..927ce16c6bb 100644
--- a/nt/gmake.defs
+++ b/nt/gmake.defs
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ endif
 
 MAKETYPE=gmake
 
+THISDIR		= .
+
 # Cygwin has changed quoting rules somewhat since b20, in a way that
 # affects makefiles using sh as the command processor, so we need to
 # detect which rules to use.
diff --git a/nt/nmake.defs b/nt/nmake.defs
index 27c1ca342a0..a60ce3e919c 100644
--- a/nt/nmake.defs
+++ b/nt/nmake.defs
@@ -24,13 +24,14 @@ SHELLTYPE=CMD
 
 MAKETYPE=nmake
 
+CURDIR		= $(MAKEDIR:\=/)
+THISDIR		= $(MAKEDIR)
+
 ALL_DEPS	= $**
 
 SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS=-subsystem:windows
 SUBSYSTEM_CONSOLE=-subsystem:console
 
-CURDIR		= $(MAKEDIR:\=/)
-
 # INSTALL_DIR is the directory into which emacs will be installed.
 #
 !ifndef INSTALL_DIR