diff --git a/make/subtree.mk b/make/subtree.mk
index e86f40e5..3f495f94 100644
--- a/make/subtree.mk
+++ b/make/subtree.mk
@@ -35,5 +35,5 @@ distclean:
 $(INSTALLED_SUBTREE_DIRS):
 	$(INSTALL) -d -o $(SUBTREE_DIROWNER) -g $(SUBTREE_DIRGROUP) -m $(SUBTREE_DIRMODE) $@
 
-$(ENV_PREFIX)$(SUBTREE_INSTALL_PREFIX)/%: %
+$(ENV_PREFIX)$(SUBTREE_INSTALL_PREFIX)/%: % | $(INSTALLED_SUBTREE_DIRS)
 	$(INSTALL) -p -o $(SUBTREE_OWNER) -g $(SUBTREE_GROUP) -m $(SUBTREE_MODE) $< $@