diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 5f5faab87f93..6814e24167aa 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ $(addprefix $(DEST)/, $(MAIN_TARGET)): $(DEST)/% :
 	pushd $(BUILD_DIR)
 	git init
 	git add -f *
+	git commit -m "check in all loose files and diffs"
 
 	# patch debian changelog and update kernel package version
 	# git am ../patch/changelog.patch