diff --git a/include/quilt.mk b/include/quilt.mk
index 2e7941eae..fb5528e88 100644
--- a/include/quilt.mk
+++ b/include/quilt.mk
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ $(STAMP_PATCHED): $(STAMP_PREPARED)
 		cd $(PKG_BUILD_DIR)/patches; \
 		find * -type f \! -name series | sort > series; \
 	)
-	[ -f "$(PKG_BUILD_DIR)/patches/series" ] && cd $(PKG_BUILD_DIR); quilt push -a
+	-[ -s "$(PKG_BUILD_DIR)/patches/series" ] && (cd $(PKG_BUILD_DIR); quilt push -a)
 	touch $@
 
 define Quilt/RefreshDir