diff --git a/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/gdm.nix b/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/gdm.nix
index 9f76bba99808..46c57405c5c5 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/gdm.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/services/x11/display-managers/gdm.nix
@@ -152,6 +152,7 @@ in
           chown -R gdm:gdm /run/gdm/.config
         '' + optionalString config.services.gnome3.gnome-initial-setup.enable ''
           # Create stamp file for gnome-initial-setup to prevent run.
+          mkdir -p /run/gdm/.config
           cat - > /run/gdm/.config/gnome-initial-setup-done <<- EOF
           yes
           EOF