diff --git a/modules/services/databases/openldap.nix b/modules/services/databases/openldap.nix
index b4df790010b..4186fdc72ac 100644
--- a/modules/services/databases/openldap.nix
+++ b/modules/services/databases/openldap.nix
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ in
         startOn = "filesystem";
         daemonType = "fork";
 
+        preStart =
+          ''
+            mkdir -p /var/run/slapd
+          '';
         exec = "${openldap}/libexec/slapd -f ${configFile}";
       };