diff --git a/Makefile.inc1 b/Makefile.inc1
index dda14b50e5e5..1a17db02724b 100644
--- a/Makefile.inc1
+++ b/Makefile.inc1
@@ -531,6 +531,11 @@ IMAKE_MTREE=	MTREE_CMD="mtree ${MTREEFLAGS}"
 # kernel stage
 KMAKEENV=	${WMAKEENV}
 KMAKE=		${KMAKEENV} ${MAKE} ${.MAKEFLAGS} ${KERNEL_FLAGS} KERNEL=${INSTKERNNAME}
+.if ${MK_META_MODE} == "yes"
+# meta mode normally is disallowed when building from curdir==objdir, but we
+# want to allow it for the kernel build.
+KMAKE+=	.MAKE.MODE="${.MAKE.MODE} curdirOk=yes"
+.endif
 
 #
 # buildworld