diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 57e7255a..74ef2aea 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ build: build_static build_cross build_tar build_sha
 
 build_static:
 	go install -ldflags '${EXTLDFLAGS}-X github.com/drone/drone/version.VersionDev=$(DRONE_BUILD_NUMBER)' github.com/drone/drone/drone
+	mkdir -p release/drone
 	cp $(GOPATH)/bin/drone release/drone
 
 # TODO this is getting moved to a shell script, do not alter