diff --git a/epics-base.spec b/epics-base.spec
index cb5c3fcf8..605e67f5d 100644
--- a/epics-base.spec
+++ b/epics-base.spec
@@ -206,6 +206,12 @@ git submodule update --init --recursive modules
 %if %{defined epics_host_arch}
 export EPICS_HOST_ARCH=%{epics_host_arch}
 %endif
+
+%if 0%{?rhel} > 9
+# make sure /opt/RHEL9 is auto-mounted before we start
+ls /opt/RHEL9 > /dev/null
+%endif
+
 %make_build -s INSTALL_LOCATION=%{buildroot}%{prog_folder} FINAL_LOCATION=%{prog_folder} \
     TESTS= TESTPROD= TESTLIBRARY= TESTFILES= PROD_RTEMS=-nil- PROD_vxWorks=-nil-
 %{__make} INSTALL_LOCATION=%{buildroot}%{prog_folder} copysrc