diff --git a/src/arch/x86/Makefile.inc b/src/arch/x86/Makefile.inc
index 6297384b2f..1a1aa408b1 100644
--- a/src/arch/x86/Makefile.inc
+++ b/src/arch/x86/Makefile.inc
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ pci$(stripped_vgabios_dgpu_id).rom-type := optionrom
 # into a single generated file.
 crt0s = $(cpu_incs-y)
 
-$(objgenerated)/assembly.inc: $$(crt0s)
+$(objgenerated)/assembly.inc: build-dirs $$(crt0s)
 	@printf "    GEN        $(subst $(obj)/,,$(@))\n"
 	printf '$(foreach crt0,$(crt0s),#include "$(crt0)"\n)' > $@