diff --git a/Makefile.pre.in b/Makefile.pre.in
index d9ee7770852..f2eb92a66c8 100644
--- a/Makefile.pre.in
+++ b/Makefile.pre.in
@@ -1622,7 +1622,7 @@ funny:
 		-o -print
 
 # Perform some verification checks on any modified files.
-patchcheck:
+patchcheck: all
 	$(RUNSHARED) ./$(BUILDPYTHON) $(srcdir)/Tools/scripts/patchcheck.py
 
 # Dependencies
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index 13c4b3edff2..d3d4d8f6126 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -48,6 +48,10 @@ Library
   The usage of os.scandir() reduces the number of calls to os.stat().
   Initial patch written by Ben Hoyt.
 
+Build
+-----
+
+- Issue #23585: make patchcheck will ensure the interpreter is built.
 
 What's New in Python 3.5 alpha 2?
 =================================