diff --git a/build.py b/build.py
index 890f654..cb374e7 100755
--- a/build.py
+++ b/build.py
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ def run_stage(stage: Path, environment, build_dir):
 
     print("SR Image Builder")
     print(f"Build directory: {args.build_dir}")
+    Path(args.build_dir).mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
 
     stages = determine_stage_list()