diff --git a/debian/postinst b/debian/postinst
index 081097bee8..542bee04d2 100755
--- a/debian/postinst
+++ b/debian/postinst
@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ EOF
 	  ${gitlab_shell_config_private}
 
           # Manage gitlab-shell's config.yml via ucf
+          mkdir -p /etc/gitlab-shell
 	  echo "Registering ${gitlab_shell_config} via ucf"
 	  ucf --debconf-ok --three-way ${gitlab_shell_config_private} ${gitlab_shell_config}
 	  ucfr gitlab ${gitlab_shell_config}