diff --git a/roles/update_motd/tasks/main.yml b/roles/update_motd/tasks/main.yml
index ce90dfa..edfda74 100644
--- a/roles/update_motd/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/update_motd/tasks/main.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,13 @@
 ---
+- name: Ensure update-motd.d exists
+  become: true
+  file:
+    path: /etc/update-motd.d
+    state: directory
+    mode: u=rwx,g=rx,o=rx
+    owner: root
+    group: root
+
 - name: Customize motd
   become: true
   template: