diff --git a/mgetty/Makefile b/mgetty/Makefile
index b1d1636..284c756 100644
--- a/mgetty/Makefile
+++ b/mgetty/Makefile
@@ -636,13 +636,13 @@ install.bin: mgetty sendfax newslock \
 		( mkdir $(spool) && chmod 755 $(spool) )
 	test -d $(FAX_SPOOL) || \
 		( mkdir $(FAX_SPOOL) && \
-		  chown $(FAX_OUT_USER) $(FAX_SPOOL) && \
+		  chown $(FAX_OUT_USER) $(FAX_SPOOL) || : && \
 		  chmod 755 $(FAX_SPOOL) )
 	test -d $(FAX_SPOOL_IN) || \
 		( mkdir $(FAX_SPOOL_IN) && chmod 755 $(FAX_SPOOL_IN) )
 	test -d $(FAX_SPOOL_OUT) || \
 		  mkdir $(FAX_SPOOL_OUT)
-	chown $(FAX_OUT_USER) $(FAX_SPOOL_OUT)
+	chown $(FAX_OUT_USER) $(FAX_SPOOL_OUT) || :
 	chmod 755 $(FAX_SPOOL_OUT)
 #
 # g3 tool programs