diff --git a/build_packages b/build_packages
index 0c70bc8dad..c77f0c8dbd 100755
--- a/build_packages
+++ b/build_packages
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ DEFINE_boolean skip_toolchain_update "${FLAGS_FALSE}" \
   "Don't update toolchain automatically."
 DEFINE_boolean skip_chroot_upgrade "${FLAGS_FALSE}" \
   "Don't run the chroot upgrade automatically; use with care."
-DEFINE_string torcx_output_root "${DEFAULT_BUILD_ROOT}" \
+DEFINE_string torcx_output_root "${DEFAULT_BUILD_ROOT}/torcx" \
   "Directory in which to place torcx stores and manifests (named by board/version)"
 DEFINE_boolean skip_torcx_store "${FLAGS_FALSE}" \
   "Don't build a new torcx store from the updated sysroot."