diff --git a/sys/boot/Makefile b/sys/boot/Makefile
index 0cdaeb21797..f0cf5ff1bc4 100644
--- a/sys/boot/Makefile
+++ b/sys/boot/Makefile
@@ -4,7 +4,12 @@
 SUBDIR+=		ficl
 
 # Pick the machine-dependant subdir based on the target architecture.
+# XXX pc98 is basicly a special i386 with MACHINE_ARCH=i386 and MACHINE=pc98.
+.if ${MACHINE_ARCH} == "i386" && ${MACHINE} == "pc98"
+SUBDIR+=		${MACHINE}
+.else
 SUBDIR+=		${MACHINE_ARCH}
+.endif
 
 # Build ARC / AlphaBIOS executable on the Alpha
 .if ${MACHINE_ARCH} == "alpha"