diff --git a/yang/embedmodel.py b/yang/embedmodel.py
index a77a81363f..c532973d7c 100644
--- a/yang/embedmodel.py
+++ b/yang/embedmodel.py
@@ -12,8 +12,10 @@ inname = sys.argv[1]
 outname = sys.argv[2]
 
 outdir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(outname))
-if not os.path.isdir(outdir):
+try:
     os.makedirs(outdir)
+except FileExistsError:
+    pass
 
 # 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