diff --git a/packages/linux/package.mk b/packages/linux/package.mk
index d35795603e..63ed08ba34 100644
--- a/packages/linux/package.mk
+++ b/packages/linux/package.mk
@@ -102,6 +102,15 @@ post_patch() {
     sed -e "s|^CONFIG_DRM_LIMA=.*$|# CONFIG_DRM_LIMA is not set|" -i $PKG_BUILD/.config
     sed -e "s|^CONFIG_DRM_PANFROST=.*$|# CONFIG_DRM_PANFROST is not set|" -i $PKG_BUILD/.config
   fi
+
+  # prepare the tree for kernel packages if the build dir has been removed and linux get unpacked again
+  if [ -d $PKG_INSTALL/.image ]; then
+    kernel_make -C $PKG_BUILD oldconfig
+    kernel_make -C $PKG_BUILD prepare
+
+    # restore the required Module.symvers from an earlier build
+    cp -p $PKG_INSTALL/.image/Module.symvers $PKG_BUILD
+  fi
 }
 
 make_host() {
@@ -229,7 +238,7 @@ make_target() {
 
 makeinstall_target() {
   mkdir -p $INSTALL/.image
-  cp -p arch/${TARGET_KERNEL_ARCH}/boot/${KERNEL_TARGET} System.map $INSTALL/.image/
+  cp -p arch/${TARGET_KERNEL_ARCH}/boot/${KERNEL_TARGET} System.map Module.symvers $INSTALL/.image/
 
   kernel_make INSTALL_MOD_PATH=$INSTALL/$(get_kernel_overlay_dir) modules_install
   rm -f $INSTALL/$(get_kernel_overlay_dir)/lib/modules/*/build