diff --git a/Cantera/src/base/Makefile.am b/Cantera/src/base/Makefile.am
index 2a9401316..688dc57bd 100644
--- a/Cantera/src/base/Makefile.am
+++ b/Cantera/src/base/Makefile.am
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ __top_builddir__build_lib_libctbase_la_SOURCES      = $(cc_sources) $(h_sources)
 # header file accumulation -- only copy if file updated!
 all:
 	@echo copying headers $<
-	mkdir $(top_builddir)/build/include/
 	cp -u *.h $(top_builddir)/build/include/
 
 CLEANFILES = *.o