diff --git a/platformio/project/tpls/qtcreator/Makefile.tpl b/platformio/project/tpls/qtcreator/Makefile.tpl
index 3fcc86ff..d6d63445 100644
--- a/platformio/project/tpls/qtcreator/Makefile.tpl
+++ b/platformio/project/tpls/qtcreator/Makefile.tpl
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 all:
 	platformio -c qtcreator run
 
+# regenerate project files to reflect platformio.ini changes
+project-update:
+	@echo "This will overwrite project metadata files.  Are you sure? [y/N] " \
+	    && read ans && [ $${ans:-'N'} = 'y' ]
+	platformio project init --ide qtcreator
+
 # forward any other target (clean, build, etc.) to pio run
 {{'%'}}:
 	platformio -c qtcreator run --target $*