diff --git a/integration_tests/snaps/scriptlet-prepare/snapcraft.yaml b/integration_tests/snaps/scriptlet-prepare/snapcraft.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3e76da9cb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/integration_tests/snaps/scriptlet-prepare/snapcraft.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+name: prepare-scriptlet-test
+version: '0.1'
+summary: Runs the prepare scriptlet for a part
+description: |
+  Runs the shell script defined in `prepare` before the build takes place
+  creating a `Makefile` for the make plugin to execute on.
+
+grade: devel
+confinement: devmode
+
+parts:
+  prepare-scriptlet-test:
+    source: .
+    plugin: make
+    prepare: |
+      echo "all:" > Makefile
+      echo '\techo building' >> Makefile
+      echo "install:" >> Makefile
+      echo '\ttouch $(DESTDIR)/prepared' >> Makefile
+
+  prepare-and-install:
+    source: .
+    plugin: make
+    prepare: |
+      echo 'all:' > Makefile
+      echo '\ttouch built' >> Makefile
+      echo 'install:' >> Makefile
+      echo '\ttouch installed' >> Makefile
+    install: |
+      cp built $SNAPCRAFT_PART_INSTALL/
+      cp installed $SNAPCRAFT_PART_INSTALL/
diff --git a/integration_tests/test_scriptlets.py b/integration_tests/test_scriptlets.py
index c55578d9e1..87147a6ad2 100644
--- a/integration_tests/test_scriptlets.py
+++ b/integration_tests/test_scriptlets.py
@@ -23,6 +23,23 @@
 
 class ScriptletTestCase(integration_tests.TestCase):
 
+    def test_prepare_scriptlet(self):
+        project_dir = 'scriptlet-prepare'
+        self.run_snapcraft('build', project_dir)
+
+        installdir = os.path.join(
+            project_dir, 'parts', 'prepare-scriptlet-test', 'install')
+        prepared_file_path = os.path.join(installdir, 'prepared')
+
+        installdir = os.path.join(
+            project_dir, 'parts', 'prepare-and-install', 'install')
+        built_file_path = os.path.join(installdir, 'built')
+        installed_file_path = os.path.join(installdir, 'installed')
+
+        self.assertThat(prepared_file_path, FileExists())
+        self.assertThat(built_file_path, FileExists())
+        self.assertThat(installed_file_path, FileExists())
+
     def test_install_scriptlet(self):
         project_dir = 'scriptlet-install'
         self.run_snapcraft('build', project_dir)
diff --git a/schema/snapcraft.yaml b/schema/snapcraft.yaml
index 816038585d..d12cf2557a 100644
--- a/schema/snapcraft.yaml
+++ b/schema/snapcraft.yaml
@@ -210,6 +210,9 @@ properties:
           install:
             type: string
             default: ''
+          prepare:
+            type: string
+            default: ''
   plugs:
     type: object
   slots:
diff --git a/snapcraft/__init__.py b/snapcraft/__init__.py
index 435c82f4bd..e09b6e985c 100644
--- a/snapcraft/__init__.py
+++ b/snapcraft/__init__.py
@@ -225,6 +225,18 @@
     `prime/` directory reflects the file structure of the snap with no
     extraneous content).
 
+  - prepare: shell script
+
+    If present, the shell script defined here is run before the `build` step
+    of the plugin starts. The working directory is the base build
+    directory for the given part. The defined script is run with `/bin/sh`.
+
+    For example:
+
+      prepare: |
+        cd scripts
+        ./bootstrap.sh
+
   - install: shell script
 
     If present, the shell script defined here is run after the `build` step
diff --git a/snapcraft/internal/pluginhandler/__init__.py b/snapcraft/internal/pluginhandler/__init__.py
index ae6dd03aed..58e47cf292 100644
--- a/snapcraft/internal/pluginhandler/__init__.py
+++ b/snapcraft/internal/pluginhandler/__init__.py
@@ -389,8 +389,9 @@ def ignore(directory, files):
 
         script_runner = ScriptRunner(builddir=self.code.build_basedir)
 
+        script_runner.run(scriptlet=self._part_properties.get('prepare'))
         self.code.build()
-        script_runner.install(scriptlet=self._part_properties.get('install'))
+        script_runner.run(scriptlet=self._part_properties.get('install'))
 
         self.mark_build_done()
 
diff --git a/snapcraft/internal/pluginhandler/_scriptlets.py b/snapcraft/internal/pluginhandler/_scriptlets.py
index 31ea191b69..5b26f5696d 100644
--- a/snapcraft/internal/pluginhandler/_scriptlets.py
+++ b/snapcraft/internal/pluginhandler/_scriptlets.py
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ class ScriptRunner:
     def __init__(self, *, builddir):
         self._builddir = builddir
 
-    def _run(self, scriptlet):
+    def run(self, *, scriptlet):
+        """Runs the specified scriptlet."""
         if not scriptlet:
             return
 
@@ -43,11 +44,3 @@ def _run(self, scriptlet):
         finally:
             with suppress(FileNotFoundError):
                 os.unlink(scriptlet_path)
-
-    def install(self, *, scriptlet):
-        """Runs post build procedures for a part.
-
-        Every plugin has a `build` step, this method runs
-        whatever is in the part's install keyword as a shell
-        """
-        self._run(scriptlet)
diff --git a/snapcraft/tests/pluginhandler/test_scriptlets.py b/snapcraft/tests/pluginhandler/test_scriptlets.py
index 6e05d93332..8c9b3cff84 100644
--- a/snapcraft/tests/pluginhandler/test_scriptlets.py
+++ b/snapcraft/tests/pluginhandler/test_scriptlets.py
@@ -24,6 +24,16 @@
 
 class ScriptletTestCase(tests.TestCase):
 
+    def test_run_prepare_scriptlet(self):
+        handler = mocks.loadplugin(
+            'test-part', part_properties={'prepare': 'touch before-build'})
+
+        handler.build()
+
+        before_build_file_path = os.path.join(handler.code.build_basedir,
+                                              'before-build')
+        self.assertThat(before_build_file_path, FileExists())
+
     def test_run_install_scriptlet(self):
         handler = mocks.loadplugin(
             'test-part', part_properties={'install': 'touch after-build'})