diff --git a/Lib/os.py b/Lib/os.py
index 5ee3d4b..35f97fb 100644
--- a/Lib/os.py
+++ b/Lib/os.py
@@ -156,11 +156,17 @@
     recursive.
 
     """
+    from errno import EEXIST
     head, tail = path.split(name)
     if not tail:
         head, tail = path.split(head)
     if head and tail and not path.exists(head):
-        makedirs(head, mode)
+        try:
+            makedirs(head, mode)
+        except OSError, e:
+            # be happy if someone already created the path
+            if e.errno != EEXIST:
+                raise
         if tail == curdir:           # xxx/newdir/. exists if xxx/newdir exists
             return
     mkdir(name, mode)