diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 5d4b21e..38343b4 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -284,6 +284,14 @@ uninstall:
 
 test_programs:$(TEST_PROGRAMS)
 
+# A minimal 'make check' target.  This only runs some quick tests;
+# use tools/run_tests.sh if you want to run the full tests.
+check:test_programs
+	./benchmark$(PROG_SUFFIX) < ./benchmark$(PROG_SUFFIX)
+	for prog in test_*; do		\
+		./$$prog || exit 1;	\
+	done
+
 help:
 	@echo "Available targets:"
 	@echo "------------------"