diff --git a/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py b/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py
index a354d6e1e..d2176c74f 100644
--- a/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py
+++ b/mesonbuild/backend/backends.py
@@ -125,6 +125,9 @@ class Backend():
                 outfileabs = os.path.join(self.environment.get_build_dir(), outfilename)
                 outfileabs_tmp = outfileabs + '.tmp'
                 abs_files.append(outfileabs)
+                outfileabs_tmp_dir = os.path.dirname(outfileabs_tmp)
+                if not os.path.exists(outfileabs_tmp_dir):
+                    os.makedirs(outfileabs_tmp_dir)
                 outfile = open(outfileabs_tmp, 'w')
                 langlist[language] = outfile
                 result.append(outfilename)