diff --git a/testgrid/specs/deploy.yaml b/testgrid/specs/deploy.yaml
index 40f9b7d347..4229a641f4 100644
--- a/testgrid/specs/deploy.yaml
+++ b/testgrid/specs/deploy.yaml
@@ -190,6 +190,7 @@
   preInstallScript: |
     source /opt/kurl-testgrid/testhelpers.sh
     rhel_9_install_host_packages lvm2 conntrack-tools socat container-selinux git
+    mkdir -p /var/lib/kurl/assets
     ( cd /var/lib/kurl/assets && curl -fLO "$(kubernetes_upgrade_bundle_url "$KURL_URL" "$KURL_UPGRADE_URL")" )
   preUpgradeScript: |
     source /opt/kurl-testgrid/testhelpers.sh
diff --git a/testgrid/specs/full.yaml b/testgrid/specs/full.yaml
index 089085b169..3c494f9d39 100644
--- a/testgrid/specs/full.yaml
+++ b/testgrid/specs/full.yaml
@@ -1170,6 +1170,7 @@
   preInstallScript: |
     source /opt/kurl-testgrid/testhelpers.sh
     rhel_9_install_host_packages lvm2 conntrack-tools socat container-selinux git
+    mkdir -p /var/lib/kurl/assets
     ( cd /var/lib/kurl/assets && curl -fLO "$(kubernetes_upgrade_bundle_url "$KURL_URL" "$KURL_UPGRADE_URL")" )
 - name: k8s129-all-the-flags
   installerSpec: