diff --git a/project/packaging.scala b/project/packaging.scala
index 2b1fffc92..a69a2b3c9 100644
--- a/project/packaging.scala
+++ b/project/packaging.scala
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ object Packaging {
     sbtLaunchJar <<= (sbtLaunchJarUrl, sbtLaunchJarLocation) map { (uri, file) =>
       import dispatch._
       if(!file.exists) {
+         // oddly, some places require us to create the file before writing...
+         file.createNewFile()
          val writer = new java.io.BufferedOutputStream(new java.io.FileOutputStream(file))
          try Http(url(uri) >>> writer)
          finally writer.close()