diff --git a/mkstage4.sh b/mkstage4.sh
index 4245a91..ac78a9a 100755
--- a/mkstage4.sh
+++ b/mkstage4.sh
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ EXCLUDES="\
 
 if [ "$TARGET" == "/" ]
 then
-  EXCLUDES+=" --exclude=$STAGE4_FILENAME"
+  EXCLUDES+=" --exclude=${STAGE4_FILENAME#/}"
 fi
 
 if [ ${EXCLUDE_CONNMAN} -eq 1 ]