diff --git a/roles/docker-distribution-proxy/tasks/main.yml b/roles/docker-distribution-proxy/tasks/main.yml
index ac690b7779..e651519bf6 100644
--- a/roles/docker-distribution-proxy/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/docker-distribution-proxy/tasks/main.yml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 - name: ensure pki destination directory exists
   file:
     path: "{{ ssl.destdir }}"
+    state: directory
 
 - name: install ssl certfile
   copy: