diff --git a/buildutil/glib-tap.mk b/buildutil/glib-tap.mk
index 34b8f21e..9a944a0a 100644
--- a/buildutil/glib-tap.mk
+++ b/buildutil/glib-tap.mk
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ installed_testcases = $(test_programs) $(installed_test_programs) \
 installed_test_meta_DATA = $(installed_testcases:=.test)
 
 %.test: %$(EXEEXT) Makefile
+	@$(MKDIR_P) $(dir $@)
 	$(AM_V_GEN) (echo '[Test]' > $@.tmp; \
 	echo 'Type=session' >> $@.tmp; \
 	echo 'Exec=env G_TEST_SRCDIR=$(installed_testdir) G_TEST_BUILDDIR=$(installed_testdir) $(installed_testdir)/$(notdir $<)' >> $@.tmp; \