diff --git a/webserver/plugin.jelly b/webserver/plugin.jelly
index 5e3ffe48..4798d39c 100644
--- a/webserver/plugin.jelly
+++ b/webserver/plugin.jelly
@@ -354,6 +354,7 @@ Maven has determined your <j:expr value="${maven.webserver.fullname}"/> webserve
 
     <!-- all goals will need a webserver dir -->
     <ant:mkdir dir="${maven.webserver.dir}" />
+    <ant:mkdir dir="${maven.webserver.root}" />
 
     <j:choose>
       <!-- not installed - simply install and start-->
@@ -397,8 +398,9 @@ Maven has determined your <j:expr value="${maven.webserver.fullname}"/> webserve
   <goal name="webserver:install" prereqs="webserver:init"
     description="Install a webserver instance">
 
-    <!-- all goals will need a webserver dir -->
-    <ant:mkdir dir="${maven.webserver.dir}" />
+    <!-- all goals will need a webserver dir and root -->
+    <ant:mkdir dir="${maven.webserver.dir}"/>
+    <ant:mkdir dir="${maven.webserver.root}"/>
 
     <j:choose>
       <!-- not installed - simply install -->