diff --git a/system/skeleton/etc/init.d/S40network b/system/skeleton/etc/init.d/S40network
index e69e61340a..bfdd491e93 100755
--- a/system/skeleton/etc/init.d/S40network
+++ b/system/skeleton/etc/init.d/S40network
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 # Start the network....
 #
 
+# Debian ifupdown needs the /run/network lock directory
+mkdir -p /run/network
+
 case "$1" in
   start)
  	echo "Starting network..."