diff --git a/utils/local_install.sh b/utils/local_install.sh
index af572db..eab6061 100755
--- a/utils/local_install.sh
+++ b/utils/local_install.sh
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ cmake --build ./build --config Release --target all -j 4 --
 
 echo ""
 echo "copying lsp files"
+mkdir -p /usr/local/var/mlisp/
 cp stdlib/*.lsp /usr/local/var/mlisp/
 echo "copying ml file"
 cp ./build/ml /usr/local/bin/ml