diff --git i/gr-utils/modtool/core/newmod.py w/gr-utils/modtool/core/newmod.py
index 8b222473f..c82fcd538 100644
--- i/gr-utils/modtool/core/newmod.py
+++ w/gr-utils/modtool/core/newmod.py
@@ -66,7 +66,9 @@ class ModToolNewModule(ModTool):
         self._setup_scm(mode='new')
         logger.info(f"Creating out-of-tree module in {self.dir}...")
         try:
-            shutil.copytree(self.srcdir, self.dir)
+            # https://stackoverflow.com/a/17022146/4935114
+            shutil.copystat = lambda x, y: x
+            shutil.copytree(self.srcdir, self.dir, copy_function=shutil.copyfile)
             source_dir = os.path.join(gr.prefix(), "share", "gnuradio")
             for source_name, target_name in (
                     ("clang-format.conf", ".clang-format"),