diff --git a/redbot/cogs/downloader/installable.py b/redbot/cogs/downloader/installable.py
index 143701a6a..772aec4a9 100644
--- a/redbot/cogs/downloader/installable.py
+++ b/redbot/cogs/downloader/installable.py
@@ -114,6 +114,8 @@ class Installable(RepoJSONMixin):
         if self._location.is_file():
             copy_func = shutil.copy2
         else:
+            # clear copy_tree's cache to make sure missing directories are created (GH-2690)
+            distutils.dir_util._path_created = {}
             copy_func = distutils.dir_util.copy_tree
 
         # noinspection PyBroadException