diff --git a/include/kernel-defaults.mk b/include/kernel-defaults.mk
index 863c180e48a..6be4cff1f2c 100644
--- a/include/kernel-defaults.mk
+++ b/include/kernel-defaults.mk
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ else
 		rmdir $(LINUX_DIR); \
 	fi
 	ln -s $(CONFIG_EXTERNAL_KERNEL_TREE) $(LINUX_DIR)
+	$(_SINGLE) [ -d $(LINUX_DIR)/user_headers ] && rm -rf $(LINUX_DIR)/user_headers
   endef
 endif