diff --git a/app/scripts/deploy.sh b/app/scripts/deploy.sh
index 52e7aab..f2f7f7a 100755
--- a/app/scripts/deploy.sh
+++ b/app/scripts/deploy.sh
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ ssh -MNf -o ControlMaster=yes -o ControlPersist=120 \
 
 # 2) rsync (reuses the connection)
 
+# ensure our directory exists
+ssh -o ControlPath=$SOCK "$HOST" "mkdir -p $DEST/app"
+
 # destructive sync for /app
 rsync -az --delete \
   -e "ssh -o ControlPath=$SOCK" \