diff --git a/main.lisp b/main.lisp
index 8c029c2..c62a7f9 100644
--- a/main.lisp
+++ b/main.lisp
@@ -4,8 +4,14 @@
 (ql:quickload "djula")
 (ql:quickload "frugal-uuid")
 
+;; this is necessary to ensure relative pathnames work
 (setf *default-pathname-defaults* (uiop:getcwd))
 
+;; make sure the bin directory exists
+;; not externed from uiop, but who cares
+(uiop::ensure-directories-exist "bin/")
+
+
 ;;;; if you're gonna run a public instance, change to the url other people
 ;;;; will use to connect!
 (defvar *server-external-address*