diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8350d97..d85e3b0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -86,7 +86,18 @@ You should build from a subdirectory of Oscar64 so that references in the makefi
 
 * mkdir build
 * cd build
-* make -f ../make/makefile
+
+To build just the compiler:
+
+* make -f ../make/makefile compiler
+
+To build just game demonstrations:
+
+* make -f ../make/makefile samples
+
+To build everything:
+
+* make -f ../make/makefile all
 
 ### Compiler arguments
 
diff --git a/make/makefile b/make/makefile
index bdefab6..f493a30 100644
--- a/make/makefile
+++ b/make/makefile
@@ -119,5 +119,5 @@ endif
 
 
 --prep-build-dir:
-	@if [[ ! -d $(srcdir) ]]; then mkdir --parents $(srcdir); fi
-	@if [[ ! -d $(project_dir)/bin ]]; then mkdir --parents $(project_dir)/bin; fi
+	@if [[ ! -d $(srcdir) ]]; then $(MKDIR_PARENT) $(srcdir); fi
+	@if [[ ! -d $(project_dir)/bin ]]; then $(MKDIR_PARENT)  $(project_dir)/bin; fi