diff --git a/sandbox/session.py b/sandbox/session.py
index aeeb707..d46dad6 100644
--- a/sandbox/session.py
+++ b/sandbox/session.py
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ class PodmanSandbox:
         self.container = None
 
     async def __aenter__(self):
+        # ensure workspace directory exists, create if it doesn't
+        workspace_path = Path(settings.safedir).resolve()
+        workspace_path.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
         self.container = self.client.containers.run(
             "python:3.14",
             command=["sleep", "60h"],