diff --git a/roles/lokole/tasks/install.yml b/roles/lokole/tasks/install.yml
index bc97ad982..9d61f628e 100644
--- a/roles/lokole/tasks/install.yml
+++ b/roles/lokole/tasks/install.yml
@@ -77,6 +77,19 @@
     path: "{{ lokole_run_directory }}"
     #mode: a+x    # Not nec, given above 'state: directory'
 
+# lets try to catch settings.env creation at registration time
+# can't tell if the routine doesn't like settings.env being missing
+- name: mkdir /lokole
+  file:
+    state: directory
+    path: /lokole
+
+- name: Link {{ lokole_run_directory }} to /lokole/state
+  file:
+    state: link
+    path: /lokole/state
+    src: "{{ lokole_run_directory }}"
+
 - name: Install {{ lokole_run_directory }}/webapp_secrets.sh from template, to configure Lokole
   template:
     src: webapp_secrets.sh.j2