diff --git a/scripts/make-void-kernel.sh b/scripts/make-void-kernel.sh
index 372b456..d47d18f 100755
--- a/scripts/make-void-kernel.sh
+++ b/scripts/make-void-kernel.sh
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ if [[ "$ARCH" != "x86_64" ]]; then
   log "this experimental downloader currently supports only x86_64"
   exit 1
 fi
-mkdir -p "$RUNTIME_DIR"
+mkdir -p "$(dirname "$OUT_DIR")"
 if [[ -e "$OUT_DIR" ]]; then
   log "output directory already exists: $OUT_DIR"
   log "remove it first if you want to re-stage a different Void kernel"