diff --git a/machines/modules/malobeo/microvm_host.nix b/machines/modules/malobeo/microvm_host.nix
index f665553..0822a2d 100644
--- a/machines/modules/malobeo/microvm_host.nix
+++ b/machines/modules/malobeo/microvm_host.nix
@@ -102,6 +102,23 @@ in
           /run/current-system/sw/bin/microvm -Ru ${name}
         '';
       };
+
+      "microvm-init-dirs@${name}" = {
+        description = "Initialize microvm directories";
+        after = [ "zfs-mount.service" ];
+        wantedBy = [ "microvm@${name}.service" ];
+        unitConfig.ConditionPathExists = "!/var/lib/microvms/${name}/.is_initialized";
+        serviceConfig = {
+          Type = "oneshot";
+          #User = "root";
+        };
+        script = ''
+          mkdir -p /var/lib/microvms/${name}/var
+          mkdir -p /var/lib/microvms/${name}/etc
+          mkdir -p /var/lib/microvms/data/${name}
+          touch /var/lib/microvms/${name}/.is_initialized
+        '';
+      };
     }) {} (cfg.deployHosts);
 
     systemd.timers = builtins.foldl' (timers: name: timers // {