diff --git a/ui/Makefile b/ui/Makefile
index 9d80ba55..d22be54a 100644
--- a/ui/Makefile
+++ b/ui/Makefile
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ install-production: compile clean
 
 .PHONY: compile
 compile: install
+	mkdir -p dist
 	cp -R src/ dist/.
 	$(bindir)/babel src --out-dir dist --source-maps inline