diff --git a/service.go b/service.go
index 76f4d613..35b6f6d2 100644
--- a/service.go
+++ b/service.go
@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@ func NewService(ctx context.Context) (*Service, error) {
 	logger.SetOutput(os.Stdout)
 	logger.SetLevel(log.InfoLevel)
 
+	// make sure workdir exists
+	os.MkdirAll(appConfig.Workdir, os.ModePerm)
+
 	fileLoggerHook, err := lumberjackrus.NewHook(
 		&lumberjackrus.LogFile{
 			Filename: path.Join(appConfig.Workdir, "log/nwc-general.log"),