diff --git a/consul-bootstrap.sh b/consul-bootstrap.sh
index 7adcd48..5d137e9 100755
--- a/consul-bootstrap.sh
+++ b/consul-bootstrap.sh
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ fi
 # create directory if doesn't exist and set permissions
 mkdir -p /etc/consul.d/ && chown -R consul:consul /etc/consul.d/
 
+# create consul data dir and set permissions
+mkdir -p /opt/consul && chown -R consul:consul /opt/consul
+
 # write systemd conf
 cat >/etc/systemd/system/consul.service <<EOF
 [Unit]