diff --git a/yang/embedmodel.py b/yang/embedmodel.py
index 52671f99a8..624a11da9d 100644
--- a/yang/embedmodel.py
+++ b/yang/embedmodel.py
@@ -3,11 +3,18 @@
 # YANG module to C wrapper
 # written 2018 by David Lamparter, placed in Public Domain.
 
-import sys, string, re
+import sys
+import os
+import string
+import re
 
 inname = sys.argv[1]
 outname = sys.argv[2]
 
+outdir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(outname))
+if not os.path.isdir(outdir):
+    os.makedirs(outdir)
+
 # these are regexes to avoid a compile-time/host dependency on yang-tools
 # or python-yang.  Cross-compiling FRR is already somewhat involved, no need
 # to make it even harder.