diff --git a/doped/vasp.py b/doped/vasp.py
index f50cb967..a7a5dc02 100644
--- a/doped/vasp.py
+++ b/doped/vasp.py
@@ -533,6 +533,7 @@ def write_input(
                 if not str(e).startswith("NELECT") or not potcar_spec:
                     raise e
 
+                os.makedirs(output_path, exist_ok=True)
                 with zopen(os.path.join(output_path, "POTCAR.spec"), "wt") as pot_spec_file:
                     pot_spec_file.write("\n".join(self.potcar_symbols))