diff --git a/src/color_loader.h b/src/color_loader.h
index 5489404c9e510..dc5b9ea45a9ad 100644
--- a/src/color_loader.h
+++ b/src/color_loader.h
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ class color_loader
             const cata_path custom_path = PATH_INFO::base_colors();
 
             if( !file_exist( custom_path ) ) {
+                assure_dir_exist( PATH_INFO::config_dir() );
                 copy_file( default_path, custom_path );
             }