diff --git a/striker-ui/Makefile.am b/striker-ui/Makefile.am
index 6a806368..bb57e4c6 100644
--- a/striker-ui/Makefile.am
+++ b/striker-ui/Makefile.am
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ outimagesdir		= pngs
 #
 EXTRA_DIST		= $(nextoutdir)
 
+# Blank target; the build output directory should be usable as-is.
+$(nextoutdir): ;
+
 # This target is for maintainers only; do not execute during CI/CD.
 #
 $(nodemodulesdir):