diff --git a/scripts/react_native_pods.rb b/scripts/react_native_pods.rb
index 82d3c42d206..3e79bd6a8f1 100644
--- a/scripts/react_native_pods.rb
+++ b/scripts/react_native_pods.rb
@@ -193,7 +193,9 @@ def use_react_native_codegen!(spec, options={})
   end
 
   # Prepare filesystem by creating empty files that will be picked up as references by CocoaPods.
-  spec.prepare_command = "mkdir -p #{generated_dirs.join(" ")} && touch #{generated_files.join(" ")}"
+  prepare_command = "mkdir -p #{generated_dirs.join(" ")} && touch -a #{generated_files.join(" ")}"
+  system(prepare_command) # Always run prepare_command when a podspec uses the codegen, as CocoaPods may skip invoking this command in certain scenarios
+  spec.prepare_command = prepare_command
 
   spec.script_phase = {
     :name => 'Generate Specs',