diff --git a/make/linux-kernel.mk b/make/linux-kernel.mk
index 31076ed6..2e288cd9 100644
--- a/make/linux-kernel.mk
+++ b/make/linux-kernel.mk
@@ -87,6 +87,11 @@ endif
 
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+$(D)/kernel: $(D)/kernel-$(BOXTYPE) $(D)/kernel-modules-$(BOXTYPE)
+	$(TOUCH)
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 $(D)/kernel-coolstream: $(D)/kernel-coolstream-$(BOXSERIES)
 	$(TOUCH)
 
diff --git a/make/ni.mk b/make/ni.mk
index 174a98eb..4d5c342e 100644
--- a/make/ni.mk
+++ b/make/ni.mk
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ personalized-image:
 image \
 ni-image:
 	@echo "starting 'make $@' build with "$(PARALLEL_JOBS)" threads!"
-	$(MAKE) kernel-modules-$(BOXTYPE)
+	$(MAKE) kernel
 	$(MAKE) neutrino
 	$(MAKE) plugins
 	make fbshot