diff --git a/tests/benchmarks/Makefile.am b/tests/benchmarks/Makefile.am
index e18c8de054..3783da8ebb 100644
--- a/tests/benchmarks/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/benchmarks/Makefile.am
@@ -12,5 +12,5 @@ LDADD = $(GST_OBJ_LIBS)
 AM_CFLAGS = $(GST_OBJ_CFLAGS)
 
 controller_CFLAGS  = $(GST_OBJ_CFLAGS) -I$(top_builddir)/libs
-controller_LDFLAGS = $(top_builddir)/libs/gst/controller/libgstcontroller-@GST_MAJORMINOR@.la
+controller_LDADD = $(top_builddir)/libs/gst/controller/libgstcontroller-@GST_MAJORMINOR@.la $(LDADD)
 
diff --git a/tests/examples/controller/Makefile.am b/tests/examples/controller/Makefile.am
index 4ab183eccf..0255ea7a2e 100644
--- a/tests/examples/controller/Makefile.am
+++ b/tests/examples/controller/Makefile.am
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 noinst_PROGRAMS = audio-example
 
 audio_example_CFLAGS  = $(GST_OBJ_CFLAGS) -I$(top_builddir)/libs
-audio_example_LDADD = $(GST_OBJ_LIBS)
-audio_example_LDFLAGS = $(top_builddir)/libs/gst/controller/libgstcontroller-@GST_MAJORMINOR@.la
+audio_example_LDADD = \
+	$(top_builddir)/libs/gst/controller/libgstcontroller-@GST_MAJORMINOR@.la \
+	$(GST_OBJ_LIBS)