diff --git a/basesetup.py b/basesetup.py
index e61a0560e..2b41ce1d4 100644
--- a/basesetup.py
+++ b/basesetup.py
@@ -325,9 +325,12 @@ def build_static_extension(self, ext):
         src_tree_output_dir = re.match('build.*(mdtraj.*)', output_dir).group(1)
 
         if not os.path.exists(src_tree_output_dir):
-            # necessary for windows
             os.makedirs(src_tree_output_dir)
 
+        if not os.path.exists(output_dir):
+            # necessary for windows
+            os.makedirs(output_dir)
+
         assert os.path.isdir(src_tree_output_dir)
 
         self.compiler.create_static_lib(objects,