diff --git a/scripts/kconfig/merge_config.sh b/scripts/kconfig/merge_config.sh
index d7d5c58b8b6a..557f37f481fd 100755
--- a/scripts/kconfig/merge_config.sh
+++ b/scripts/kconfig/merge_config.sh
@@ -98,8 +98,8 @@ INITFILE=$1
 shift;
 
 if [ ! -r "$INITFILE" ]; then
-	echo "The base file '$INITFILE' does not exist.  Exit." >&2
-	exit 1
+	echo "The base file '$INITFILE' does not exist. Creating one..." >&2
+	touch "$INITFILE"
 fi
 
 MERGE_LIST=$*