I've also tried to build emacs-snapshot on Debian Etch x86, pretty recent install, so the system is clean and I've not deleted any folders myself etc. (not yet at least :) )
I get the same error, and I solved it also by creating the missing folder. Guess it has to do with backporting the source code to Etch. Since the problem probably appears only when backporting, I have no idea whether the bug should be reopened or not... -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
