diff --git a/tests/playbook.yml b/tests/playbook.yml
index 4c186b822ef2b7beb44a405ef9bd4babfb19d818..c548e29dab9fa581bf9193981c48172200e5d8e8 100644
--- a/tests/playbook.yml
+++ b/tests/playbook.yml
@@ -32,6 +32,15 @@
             name: openssh-server
             state: present
 
+      - name: Create sshd run directory
+        when: ansible_os_family == 'Debian'
+        file:
+            path: /var/run/sshd
+            owner: root
+            group: root
+            mode: 0o0755
+            state: directory
+
       - name: Start SSH service
         when: ansible_pkg_mgr == 'apt'
         service: