diff --git a/tools/releasetools/merge_target_files.py b/tools/releasetools/merge_target_files.py
index cfffbc7352..b7ed6458ae 100755
--- a/tools/releasetools/merge_target_files.py
+++ b/tools/releasetools/merge_target_files.py
@@ -781,6 +781,7 @@ def generate_images(target_files_dir, rebuild_recovery):
   # Regenerate IMAGES in the target directory.
 
   add_img_args = ['--verbose']
+  add_img_args.append('--add_missing')
   if rebuild_recovery:
     add_img_args.append('--rebuild_recovery')
   add_img_args.append(target_files_dir)