diff --git a/samples/trace_events/Makefile b/samples/trace_events/Makefile
index 06c6dea1eb8..0d428dc6728 100644
--- a/samples/trace_events/Makefile
+++ b/samples/trace_events/Makefile
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 # builds the trace events example kernel modules;
 # then to use one (as root):  insmod <module_name.ko>
 
-PWD := $(shell pwd)
-
-CFLAGS_trace-events-sample.o := -I$(PWD)/samples/trace_events/
+CFLAGS_trace-events-sample.o := -I$(src)
 
 obj-$(CONFIG_SAMPLE_TRACE_EVENTS) += trace-events-sample.o