diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index 0a875dce..3f7d444a 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -711,6 +711,7 @@ ell/internal: Makefile
 	done > $@
 
 ell/ell.h: Makefile
+	$(AM_V_at)$(MKDIR_P) ell
 	$(AM_V_at)echo -n > $@
 	$(AM_V_GEN)for f in $(ell_headers) ; do \
 		echo "#include <$$f>" >> $@ ; \