diff --git a/core/base_rules.mk b/core/base_rules.mk
index 71c0d7302f..48f31ec674 100644
--- a/core/base_rules.mk
+++ b/core/base_rules.mk
@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@ endif
 ## Common instructions for a generic module.
 ###########################################################
 
+LOCAL_PATH := $(strip $(LOCAL_PATH))
+ifeq ($(LOCAL_PATH),)
+  $(error LOCAL_PATH is not defined)
+endif
+
 LOCAL_MODULE := $(strip $(LOCAL_MODULE))
 ifeq ($(LOCAL_MODULE),)
   $(error $(LOCAL_PATH): LOCAL_MODULE is not defined)