diff --git a/packages/linux/package.mk b/packages/linux/package.mk
index 3a6fd5d3dd..3e007b2971 100644
--- a/packages/linux/package.mk
+++ b/packages/linux/package.mk
@@ -127,6 +127,11 @@ makeinstall_host() {
 }
 
 pre_make_target() {
+  ( cd $ROOT
+    rm -rf $BUILD/initramfs
+    $SCRIPTS/install initramfs
+  )
+
   if [ "$TARGET_ARCH" = "x86_64" ]; then
     # copy some extra firmware to linux tree
     mkdir -p $PKG_BUILD/external-firmware
@@ -185,11 +190,6 @@ make_target() {
     )
   fi
 
-  ( cd $ROOT
-    rm -rf $BUILD/initramfs
-    $SCRIPTS/install initramfs
-  )
-
   # arm64 target does not support creating uImage.
   # Build Image first, then wrap it using u-boot's mkimage.
   if [[ "$TARGET_KERNEL_ARCH" = "arm64" && "$KERNEL_TARGET" = uImage* ]]; then