diff --git a/include/image.mk b/include/image.mk
index 4161d60ded9..1b7fd2404aa 100644
--- a/include/image.mk
+++ b/include/image.mk
@@ -365,6 +365,7 @@ endef
 define Device/Build/initramfs
   $$(_TARGET): $(BIN_DIR)/$$(KERNEL_INITRAMFS_IMAGE)
 
+  $(KDIR)/$$(KERNEL_NAME)-initramfs: image_prepare
   $(BIN_DIR)/$$(KERNEL_INITRAMFS_IMAGE): $(KDIR)/$$(KERNEL_INITRAMFS_IMAGE)
 	cp $$^ $$@