diff --git a/api/src/main/java/edu/cornell/mannlib/vitro/webapp/application/VitroHomeDirectory.java b/api/src/main/java/edu/cornell/mannlib/vitro/webapp/application/VitroHomeDirectory.java
index 49271f97f2..c4dc636c99 100644
--- a/api/src/main/java/edu/cornell/mannlib/vitro/webapp/application/VitroHomeDirectory.java
+++ b/api/src/main/java/edu/cornell/mannlib/vitro/webapp/application/VitroHomeDirectory.java
@@ -176,8 +176,7 @@ private void confirmExactlyOneResult() {
 		private void confirmValidDirectory() {
 			Path vhd = getPath();
 			if (!Files.exists(vhd)) {
-				throw new IllegalStateException("Vitro home directory '" + vhd
-						+ "' does not exist.");
+			    createHomeDirectory(vhd);
 			}
 			if (!Files.isDirectory(vhd)) {
 				throw new IllegalStateException("Vitro home directory '" + vhd
@@ -241,6 +240,18 @@ public void populate() {
         
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Create home directory
+     */
+    private static void createHomeDirectory(Path vhdDir) {
+        try {
+            vhdDir.toFile().mkdirs();
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+            log.error(e, e);
+            throw new RuntimeException("Failed to create home directory " + vhdDir);
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Copy file from home source to home destination
      */