diff --git a/target/sdk/Makefile b/target/sdk/Makefile
index 022a791ebf..4a9dc8be41 100644
--- a/target/sdk/Makefile
+++ b/target/sdk/Makefile
@@ -129,11 +129,14 @@ $(BIN_DIR)/$(SDK_NAME).tar.xz: clean
 		./files/include/prepare.mk \
 		./files/README.SDK \
 		$(SDK_BUILD_DIR)/
+	mkdir -p $(SDK_BUILD_DIR)/package/kernel
 	$(CP) \
 		$(TOPDIR)/package/Makefile \
 		$(TOPDIR)/package/libs/toolchain \
-		$(TOPDIR)/package/kernel/linux \
 		$(SDK_BUILD_DIR)/package/
+	$(CP) \
+		$(TOPDIR)/package/kernel/linux \
+		$(SDK_BUILD_DIR)/package/kernel/
 
 	-rm -rf $(SDK_BUILD_DIR)/$(STAGING_SUBDIR_HOST)/.prereq-build