diff --git a/roles/educontainer/tasks/setup.yml b/roles/educontainer/tasks/setup.yml
index 42fdb55..91ce6f4 100644
--- a/roles/educontainer/tasks/setup.yml
+++ b/roles/educontainer/tasks/setup.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,12 @@
       - debootstrap
     state: latest
 
+- name: prepare machine directory
+  file:
+    path: /var/lib/machines/
+    state: directory
+    mode: 0700
+
 - name: debootstrap base system
   command:
     cmd: >