diff --git a/tasks/main.yaml b/tasks/main.yaml
index b0b81e1..01c3b50 100644
--- a/tasks/main.yaml
+++ b/tasks/main.yaml
@@ -74,6 +74,11 @@
 
 - block:
 
+    - name: Ensure target directory exists
+      file:
+        path: "{{ manifest_base }}"
+        state: directory
+
     - name: copy puppet modules
       synchronize:
         src: "{{ mgmt_manifestpath }}"