diff --git a/include/kernel.mk b/include/kernel.mk
index 119de8687e0..00a7882acbb 100644
--- a/include/kernel.mk
+++ b/include/kernel.mk
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ define KernelPackage
   endif
   $$(eval $$(call BuildPackage,kmod-$(1)))
 
-  $$(IPKG_kmod-$(1)): $$(FILES)
+  $$(IPKG_kmod-$(1)): $$(wildcard $$(FILES))
 endef
 
 define AutoLoad