diff --git a/include/image.mk b/include/image.mk
index 08b516d854..8d201447fc 100644
--- a/include/image.mk
+++ b/include/image.mk
@@ -378,6 +378,7 @@ define Device/Build/check_size
 endef
 
 define Device/Build/kernel
+  $(KDIR)/$$(KERNEL_NAME): image_prepare
   $$(_TARGET): $$(if $$(KERNEL_INSTALL),$(BIN_DIR)/$$(KERNEL_IMAGE))
   $(BIN_DIR)/$$(KERNEL_IMAGE): $(KDIR)/$$(KERNEL_IMAGE)
 	cp $$^ $$@