diff --git a/alpine/alpine-essentials.sh b/alpine/alpine-essentials.sh
index 6282150..b2eabc5 100755
--- a/alpine/alpine-essentials.sh
+++ b/alpine/alpine-essentials.sh
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ rc-service sshd start
 
 # add ssh keys for akanealw
 if [[ -d /home/akanealw ]]; then
+    mkdir /home/akanealw/.ssh
     cp /home/akanealw/.ssh/authorized_keys /home/akanealw/.ssh/authorized_keys.bak > /dev/null 2>&1
     isInFile=$(cat /home/akanealw/.ssh/authorized_keys | grep -c "winpc-akanealw")
         if [ $isInFile -eq 0 ]; then