diff --git a/constructor/main.py b/constructor/main.py
index 2f724bafd..0df347051 100644
--- a/constructor/main.py
+++ b/constructor/main.py
@@ -241,6 +241,7 @@ def main_build(dir_path, output_dir='.', platform=cc_platform,
     # '_dists': List[Dist]
     # '_urls': List[Tuple[url, md5]]
 
+    os.makedirs(output_dir, exist_ok=True)
     info_dicts = []
     for itype in itypes:
         if itype == 'sh':
diff --git a/news/891-output-dir b/news/891-output-dir
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9fcc5adc2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/891-output-dir
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+### Enhancements
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Bug fixes
+
+* Do not crash if `--output-dir` doesn't exist. Ensure it does before creating installers. (#772 via #891)
+
+### Deprecations
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Docs
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Other
+
+* <news item>