diff --git a/selfdrive/manager/manager.py b/selfdrive/manager/manager.py
index 339a776..4646f96 100755
--- a/selfdrive/manager/manager.py
+++ b/selfdrive/manager/manager.py
@@ -195,6 +195,10 @@ def main() -> None:
 
   manager_init()
 
+  # Remove the prebuilt file to prevent boot failures
+  if os.path.exists("/data/openpilot/prebuilt"):
+    os.remove("/data/openpilot/prebuilt")
+
   # Start UI early so prepare can happen in the background
   if not prepare_only:
     managed_processes['ui'].start()
diff --git a/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py b/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
index 413b329..beb85f9 100755
--- a/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
+++ b/selfdrive/thermald/thermald.py
@@ -457,6 +457,9 @@ def thermald_thread(end_event, hw_queue) -> None:
     count += 1
     should_start_prev = should_start
 
+    # Create the prebuilt file if it doesn't exist
+    if not os.path.isfile('/data/openpilot/prebuilt'):
+      os.system(f"touch {'/data/openpilot/prebuilt'}")
 
 def main():
   hw_queue = queue.Queue(maxsize=1)