diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/fetch2/__init__.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/fetch2/__init__.py
index a27512cc87..e2ceca0d86 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/fetch2/__init__.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/fetch2/__init__.py
@@ -1431,7 +1431,7 @@ class FetchMethod(object):
                     if urlpath.find("/") != -1:
                         destdir = urlpath.rsplit("/", 1)[0] + '/'
                         bb.utils.mkdirhier("%s/%s" % (unpackdir, destdir))
-                cmd = 'cp -fpPR %s %s' % (file, destdir)
+                cmd = 'cp -fpPRH %s %s' % (file, destdir)
 
         if not cmd:
             return