diff --git a/templates/groff.tmpl b/templates/groff.tmpl
index e4323159830..50aa759d927 100644
--- a/templates/groff.tmpl
+++ b/templates/groff.tmpl
@@ -18,5 +18,8 @@ long_desc="
 
 run_depends="glibc-2.8"
 
-# The install target fails if the dir is not there already.
-pre_install_cmd="mkdir -p $XBPS_DESTDIR/$pkgname-$version/usr"
+pre_install()
+{
+	# The install target fails if the dir is not there already.
+	mkdir -p $XBPS_DESTDIR/$pkgname-$version/usr
+}