diff --git a/api/src/unraid-api/auth/api-key.service.ts b/api/src/unraid-api/auth/api-key.service.ts
index d94ed4112..c9acb2235 100644
--- a/api/src/unraid-api/auth/api-key.service.ts
+++ b/api/src/unraid-api/auth/api-key.service.ts
@@ -267,6 +267,7 @@ export class ApiKeyService implements OnModuleInit {
     }
 
     public async createLocalConnectApiKey(): Promise<ApiKeyWithSecret> {
+        await ensureDir(this.basePath);
         return await this.create('Connect', 'API key for Connect user', [Role.CONNECT], true);
     }