diff --git a/iiab-install b/iiab-install
index d4cb39bef..30e356005 100755
--- a/iiab-install
+++ b/iiab-install
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ echo "Placed /etc/ansible/facts.d/local_facts.fact into position."
 STAGE=0
 if [ ! -f /etc/iiab/iiab.env ]; then
     mkdir -p /etc/iiab
+    echo "{}" > /etc/iiab/config_vars.yml
 else
     if [[ `grep STAGE= /etc/iiab/iiab.env` ]]; then
         source /etc/iiab/iiab.env