diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index e90ee6a3eef4..45e5a38fbc7a 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -491,6 +491,7 @@ include .config
 # If .config is newer than include/linux/autoconf.h, someone tinkered
 # with it and forgot to run make oldconfig
 include/linux/autoconf.h: .config
+	$(Q)mkdir -p include/linux
 	$(Q)$(MAKE) -f $(srctree)/Makefile silentoldconfig
 else
 # Dummy target needed, because used as prerequisite