The problem is operator (that's me) stupidity. I have an overloaded find so I can say find foo and have it mean find . -name foo -print mkinitramfs uses find . | cpio to build the initrd.img I have my stuff in the path (yeh i know i know) I've wasted my time - i deserve it - and your time - you don't. Sorry. I'll try to be more careful :-)