diff --git a/images/nix/default.nix b/images/nix/default.nix
index f2353bb..7041fc0 100644
--- a/images/nix/default.nix
+++ b/images/nix/default.nix
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ let
 
       # make sure /tmp exists
       mkdir -m 1777 tmp
+
+      # need a HOME
+      mkdir -vp root
     '';
 
     config = {