diff --git a/lib/reporters/xunit.js b/lib/reporters/xunit.js
index d9f58b9f05..7c16302c63 100644
--- a/lib/reporters/xunit.js
+++ b/lib/reporters/xunit.js
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ var utils = require('../utils');
 var inherits = utils.inherits;
 var fs = require('fs');
 var escape = utils.escape;
+var mkdirp = require('mkdirp');
+var path = require('path');
 
 /**
  * Save timer references to avoid Sinon interfering (see GH-237).
@@ -43,6 +45,7 @@ function XUnit(runner, options) {
     if (!fs.createWriteStream) {
       throw new Error('file output not supported in browser');
     }
+    mkdirp.sync(path.dirname(options.reporterOptions.output));
     self.fileStream = fs.createWriteStream(options.reporterOptions.output);
   }