diff --git a/include/image.mk b/include/image.mk
index 36c6c63320..020418d54d 100644
--- a/include/image.mk
+++ b/include/image.mk
@@ -464,6 +464,9 @@ define BuildImage
     image_prepare: compile
 		mkdir -p $(KDIR)/tmp
 		$(call Image/Prepare)
+  else
+    image_prepare:
+		mkdir -p $(KDIR)/tmp
   endif
 
   mkfs_prepare: image_prepare