Target with no recipe doesn't trigger remaking rules

[Yukimasa Sugizaki]

Hi.

Target with no recipe seems not to trigger remaking rules.
For example, this Makefile triggers remaking rules correctly and does
infinite loops:
https://gist.github.com/Terminus-IMRC/a3a34ce7ddbf087892ce

$(file >dummy,)
Makefile: dummy
    :
    $(file >>Makefile,)


However, without the recipe (the : command), it does not trigger
remaking rules:
https://gist.github.com/Terminus-IMRC/2b58b314ca73c5d94a5f

$(file >dummy,)
Makefile: dummy
    $(file >>Makefile,)


Is this an expected behavior? And would you please teach me why?

Regards,
Akane.