diff --git a/board/common/overlay/usr/share/post-upgrade/20170827.sh b/board/common/overlay/usr/share/post-upgrade/20170827.sh
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index fc28fd2c2a..df7cf827be
--- a/board/common/overlay/usr/share/post-upgrade/20170827.sh
+++ b/board/common/overlay/usr/share/post-upgrade/20170827.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
+# create the persisted /var/lib directory (/data/varlib)
+mkdir -p /data/varlib
+
 # add password_hook motioneye setting
 grep password_hook /data/etc/motioneye.conf &>/dev/null || echo -e 'password_hook /usr/libexec/meyepasswd' >> /data/etc/motioneye.conf