diff --git a/etc/Makefile b/etc/Makefile
--- a/etc/Makefile
+++ b/etc/Makefile
@@ -39,8 +39,9 @@
 	# Avoid installing tests here; "make distribution" will do this and
 	# correctly place them in the right location.
 	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR} ; ${MAKE} MK_TESTS=no install \
-	    DESTDIR=${DISTDIR}/${DISTRIBUTION}
-	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR} ; ${MAKE} distribution DESTDIR=${DISTDIR}/${DISTRIBUTION}
+	    DISTBASE=/${DISTRIBUTION} DESTDIR=${DISTDIR}/${DISTRIBUTION}
+	${_+_}cd ${.CURDIR} ; ${MAKE} distribution \
+	    DISTBASE=/${DISTRIBUTION} DESTDIR=${DISTDIR}/${DISTRIBUTION}
 
 .include <bsd.endian.mk>