i totally agree with scott here.  to quote src/Makefile:

build:
        (cd ${.CURDIR}/share/mk && ${MAKE} install)
        (cd ${.CURDIR}/share/tmac && ${MAKE} && ${MAKE} install)
.if exists(domestic) && !defined (EXPORTABLE_SYSTEM)
.if exists(domestic/usr.bin/compile_et)
        (cd ${.CURDIR}/domestic/usr.bin/compile_et && \
            ${MAKE} depend && ${MAKE} && \
            ${MAKE} install)
.endif
.if exists(domestic/usr.bin/make_cmds)
        (cd ${.CURDIR}/domestic/usr.bin/make_cmds && \
            ${MAKE} depend && ${MAKE} && \
            ${MAKE} install)
.endif
.endif

now, if we have a *totally* new $DESTDIR, then there are no libraries,
include files, or programs.  how can *anyone* expect compile_et or
make_cmds to build when there are zero, nil, zilch, none, _0_ include
files or libraries for it to build/link with?


that whole section should be ripped out.



do you people not *see* that?  what is causing the confusion here?