diff --git a/solanum.yml b/solanum.yml
index 56e3a0e..3a6e82a 100644
--- a/solanum.yml
+++ b/solanum.yml
@@ -59,3 +59,11 @@
       become: yes
       become_user: ircd
 
+    - name: ensure etc directory
+      file:
+        path: /home/ircd/ircd/etc
+        state: directory
+        mode: '0755'
+      become: yes
+      become_user: ircd
+