diff --git a/.github/workflows/apptainer-image.yml b/.github/workflows/apptainer-image.yml
index f1daf12..0c587eb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/apptainer-image.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/apptainer-image.yml
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install Apptainer
         run: |
           set -eux
+          mkdir -p "${SETUP_DOWNLOADS_DIR}"
           [ -r "${SETUP_DOWNLOADS_DIR}/apptainer-${APPTAINER_VERSION}.deb" ] || curl -o "${SETUP_DOWNLOADS_DIR}/apptainer-${APPTAINER_VERSION}.deb" -L https://github.com/apptainer/apptainer/releases/download/v${APPTAINER_VERSION}/apptainer_${APPTAINER_VERSION}_amd64.deb
           sudo apt install -y "./${SETUP_DOWNLOADS_DIR}/apptainer-${APPTAINER_VERSION}.deb"
       - name: Check out code for the container build