diff --git a/core/notice_files.mk b/core/notice_files.mk
index e687ab2f68..c3147341b4 100644
--- a/core/notice_files.mk
+++ b/core/notice_files.mk
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ else
 endif
 endif
 
+installed_notice_file :=
+
 ifdef notice_file
 
 ifdef my_register_name
@@ -71,12 +73,17 @@ else
       endif
       module_installed_filename := \
           $(patsubst $(PRODUCT_OUT)/%,%,$($(my_prefix)OUT_JAVA_LIBRARIES))/$(module_leaf)
+    else ifeq ($(LOCAL_MODULE_CLASS),ETC)
+      # ETC modules may be uninstallable, yet still have a NOTICE file. e.g. apex components
+      module_installed_filename :=
     else
       $(error Cannot determine where to install NOTICE file for $(LOCAL_MODULE))
     endif # JAVA_LIBRARIES
   endif # STATIC_LIBRARIES
 endif
 
+ifdef module_installed_filename
+
 # In case it's actually a host file
 module_installed_filename := $(patsubst $(HOST_OUT)/%,%,$(module_installed_filename))
 module_installed_filename := $(patsubst $(HOST_CROSS_OUT)/%,%,$(module_installed_filename))
@@ -110,10 +117,8 @@ $(LOCAL_BUILT_MODULE): | $(installed_notice_file)
 endif  # JAVA_LIBRARIES
 endif  # TARGET_BUILD_APPS
 
-else
-# NOTICE file does not exist
-installed_notice_file :=
-endif
+endif  # module_installed_filename
+endif  # notice_file
 
 # Create a predictable, phony target to build this notice file.
 # Define it even if the notice file doesn't exist so that other