diff --git a/tasks/setup.yml b/tasks/setup.yml
index ee15c2a..90c4d67 100644
--- a/tasks/setup.yml
+++ b/tasks/setup.yml
@@ -35,6 +35,14 @@
       loop_control:
         label: "{{ item.name }}: {{ item.state | bool }}"
 
+    - name: Create journal log dir
+      file:
+        path: /var/log/journal
+        state: directory
+        owner: root
+        group: root
+        mode: 2755
+
     - name: Create home basedir for systemd users
       file:
         path: "{{ podman_systemd_home_basedir }}"