diff --git a/Shorewall-init/install.sh b/Shorewall-init/install.sh
index 3e14a0b01..d63ffb5ad 100755
--- a/Shorewall-init/install.sh
+++ b/Shorewall-init/install.sh
@@ -274,6 +274,7 @@ fi
 # Install the .service file
 #
 if [ -n "$SYSTEMD" ]; then
+    mkdir -p ${DESTDIR}${SYSTEMD}
     run_install $OWNERSHIP -m 600 shorewall-init.service ${DESTDIR}${SYSTEMD}/shorewall-init.service
     echo "Service file installed as ${DESTDIR}${SYSTEMD}/shorewall-init.service"
     if [ -n "$DESTDIR" ]; then
diff --git a/Shorewall/install.sh b/Shorewall/install.sh
index 7dc111d77..10cdb0ad7 100755
--- a/Shorewall/install.sh
+++ b/Shorewall/install.sh
@@ -355,6 +355,7 @@ fi
 # Install the .service file
 #
 if [ -n "$SYSTEMD" ]; then
+    mkdir -p ${DESTDIR}${SYSTEMD}
     run_install $OWNERSHIP -m 600 $PRODUCT.service ${DESTDIR}${SYSTEMD}/$PRODUCT.service
     echo "Service file installed as ${DESTDIR}${SYSTEMD}/$PRODUCT.service"
 fi